The fabulous sport of netball has once again hit the headlines after a netball-playing grandma from Paignton in Devon reached the regional finals of the Pride of Britain Awards—a competition organised by ITV to highlight the work of individuals who spend their lives encouraging others to get active and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Glenys Haywood was one of several inspirational people nominated for their tireless community work and she managed to beat off some stiff competition in order to secure her place as top finalist for the West Country following a vote by viewers of the West Country Tonight programme.

A lady from the Tornado Netball Club nominated Glenys, but she was apparently unaware of her nomination until a film crew turned up to capture her on camera at the end of September.

Glenys has been playing and coaching netball for more than 40 years and used to play for Somerset in her younger days. These days she coaches the ladies at the Tornado Netball Club in Paignton and does her best to encourage new ladies to take up the sport of netball. Although Glenys has two grown up sons as opposed to daughters, she does now have a 6-year-old granddaughter whom she hopes will grow up to love netball, too

As a result of her passion for the sport of netball, Glenys is determined to pass on her enthusiasm to the younger generation, and she was quick to point out to the cameras that netball is currently the number one female sport in the UK!

NetballFun wish Glenys every success in the finals of the Pride of Britain Awards and we really hope she wins!