Team mates hold charity netball tournament in memory of 'one of a kind' East Kilbride coach

Friends and team mates of a popular young East Kilbride coach have honoured her memory by launching an annual charity netball tournament in her name.

The Lee-Ann Gemmell Trophy took place at John Wright Sports Centre on Sunday where Lee-Ann's family presented the memorial cup to winning team Sapphires 1.

The 32-year-old mum-of-two played and coached netball across Lanarkshire and was a loving mother to daughter Becca, now 20, and son Brody, 14.

A popular former pupil of St Bride’s High School, Lee-Ann was best known for her love of sports in her role as a dedicated netball player and coach.

She was a valued member of Netball Scotland as a player with Bell, Hamilton and Kelvin Netball Clubs, taught the sport to primary schoolchildren for Glasgow City Council and was also a gifted footballer, capped twice for Scotland.

Tragically, on February 14, 2016, Lee-Ann passed away suddenly in her sleep at her West Mains home.

In a fitting tribute, former team mates Nicola Allison and Emma Jamieson gathered friends and fellow players past and present for a round robin tournament in honour of their beloved friend who they described as "the complete team player".

The event raised over £2000, which has been matched and doubled by Emma's company Morgan Stanley, taking the overall total to £4000, which will be donated to The Sunflower Service in Lee-Ann’s name.

Chosen by her family, the Kilbryde Hospice support service helps children and young people who have experienced grief, loss and bereavement following a life-limiting illness of an adult close to them.

Nicola said: "What an amazing day we had in memory of Lee-Ann. Lee-Ann loved her netball, she would say to us often how it was her time to be authentically her. On court she wasn’t a mum, she wasn’t a coach, this was her time to just be herself having fun with teammates.

"That was the main goal of the tournament; to remember Lee-Ann but also to do so whilst having fun with friends, enjoying a sport we all love, and we are more than delighted to have done so whist raising an amazing amount for charity in her name."

She added: "Emma and I played with Lee-Ann for years - too many to count. We played with her at various clubs from Bell to Hamilton, but the most recent before she died was with Kelvin with coach Maria McGraw. Lee-Ann's personality made her not just an amazing and talented team mate, but also an amazing friend.

"She always made you laugh, both on and off the court. Her pin point accuracy with passing, especially at distance, is something we all remember. She was tenacious and bold, witty and funny, smart and kind. She was the complete team player.

"We are overwhelmed with everyone’s kindness and generosity. Thank you to Lee-Ann’s family for coming and being part of the day. Lee-Ann, we hope you were watching. You are so loved and missed by us all."

Thanking everyone for their efforts in honouring Lee-Ann's memory, mum Yvonne said: "They did her proud. It's fantastic that Lee-Ann is still being remembered and thought about after all these years.

"The amount of effort they went to was absolutely fabulous, the event was so well organised and ran like clockwork and of course has raised £4000 for charity.

"Myself, Becca, Brodie and Joseph were delighted to take part in what was a great tribute to Lee-Ann, she loved her netball. I'm proud to say she was my daughter."

A mixture of ten teams took part in the tournament, from teams who play within a league, to 'Bounce Back to Netball' teams to teams who used to play with Lee-Ann. The teams were: Hamilton 1 and 2, St Andrew's 1 and 2, Sapphires 1 and 2, EK Hot Shots, Golden Girls, Elements and Kelvin.

Semi-finals took place between St Andrew's 1 and St Andrew's 2 and Sapphires 1 and Golden Girls with Sapphires 1 edging the win against St Andrew's 1 in the final 14-11.

Most Valuable Player (MVP) went to Jill Allison of Sapphires for her "awesome play" throughout the tournament.

Thanks were paid to everyone who came, played, bought raffle tickets, umpired, volunteered and supported, and to local businesses for their raffle donations including: Austin Lafferty, Mini Grill, Meat Joint, CR Fitness, Glitz ‘n’ Glam and Ferinos Fings for Doris the Campervan.

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