Today, 13th March 2023, marks Commonwealth Day, a day which is celebrated annually and observed by people all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.
The Commonwealth Family is made up of 54 member countries, and out of World Netball’s 79 Members, 46 are included within the Commonwealth making this day very important for our netball family.
Throughout the day we are going to be looking back at some of our favourite memories from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, whilst also looking forward to the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Gamestaking place later this year, which will include FAST5 Netball for the first time.
As well as this we will be celebrating the theme of Commonwealth Day 2023, which is ‘Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future’.
This theme combines the active commitment of commonwealth countries to support the promotion of peace, prosperity, and sustainability, especially through climate action, to secure a better future for our young people and improve the lives of all Commonwealth citizens.
At the World Netball HQ, based in Manchester, Salford, the Secretariat has been doing their bit to contribute towards reducing climate change and creating a sustainable future.
Here are just a few of the small changes the ream has made:
OFFICE MOVE
The World Netball HQ moved in 2021 to the Tomorrow Building in MediaCityUK.
The Tomorrow Building was verified as Net Zero Carbon in September 2020 using the UK Green Building Council’s 2019 framework definition.
Collectively with other office buildings in the vicinity, the Tomorrow Building creates the highest cluster of third party verified Net Zero Carbon buildings in the UK based on their operational carbon emissions.
The World Netball Secretariat is proud to be part of this community.
CYCLE TO WORK SCHEME
In February 2022, the World Netball Secretariat signed up to Cycle to Work scheme, with members of the team getting involved in local cycle to work competitions.
In September 2022, World Netball came in the top 10 for journeys cycled for sport companies with 1-10 employees.
World Netball’s Executive PA, Cathy Hurman, and International Officiating Manager, Christina Barrow, are now on task to hit their next target, which is to complete 50 cycle rides between 23rd February and the 23rd May.
Well Done Cathy and Christina!
SHOP LOCAL
The World Netball Secretariat team also supports local businesses, through things such as getting their milk delivered by a local dairy in glass bottles, which are returned to the dairy, washed, and reused over and over.
These small changes all help to reduce the World Netball carbon footprint.
To find out more about Commonwealth Day, click here.
