Miss Byers was recently awarded the unsung hero award from Tynedale Sport Annual Awards, this award is received for recognition of volunteers in grass root sport to the highest standard within the community. Some examples of reasons why Miss Byers was awarded the unsung hero is through contributions to Netball in Northumberland, along with teaching at PHS and supporting the development of netball at school. On top of this, she also founded Ponteland netball club in 2008 which is now a club with 90 consistent members, with players ranging from 9-19 showing the wide range of ages Mrs Byers has engaged, highlighting a big reason she won the award. Since Miss Byers founded PNC, they have competed in regional leagues in all age categories and seen players go on to represent at both county and regional standard. Alongside PNC, Miss Byers also runs Astley Seniors who compete in both Northumberland and Tyne and Wear leagues, they have also previously been involved in the North East Regional Leagues.
As well as all this, Miss Byers also contributes to the Northumberland County pathway in a coaching role, she coaches at U13, U16 and U19s and she is currently the head coach of the U15s this year. Players that she has coached in these pathways have gone on to play at both regional, national and international level, demonstrating why she won the unsung hero award. Miss Byers has shown dedication on so many levels to support children and young adults in grass roots, going above and beyond to help them and assist reaching the supreme standard.
Furthermore Miss Byers has also sat on the Northumberland committee for the last 17 years! She is in charge of the planning and implementation of the junior and senior leagues, which creates opportunities for competitive match play at county standard. As well as her coaching and league commitments she is also a qualified B award umpire and she coaches at both county and regional standard during the week and at weekends. Miss Byers mentors aspiring C award umpires and she is also now a qualified officiating assessor for Into and C award assessments.
Well done Miss Byers, we are all very proud!