Netball star Ziana nets two awards

Ziana Butt, BSc Digital & Technology Solutions and England Under-21 netball star, poses with her two trophies. 

"When I began my journey in netball, I would go to tournaments and be surprised to find that I was the only South Asian person there. I felt called to volunteer and show more young people that they can play netball," said Ziana. 

"From volunteering in schools, I discovered that most youngsters from South Asian families had not considered sport as a career due to their families and communities being more academically focused.

"I therefore began to share my own personal journey to show that sport can bring both career and mental health benefits," she continued. 

Ziana has also co-authored a children’s book titled ‘Aisha's Netball’ encouraging young Asian girls to get involved in sport and is a current member of the National Youth Sport Forum where she advises on school sport and recreational policies. 

Ziana said: "Volunteering has allowed me to speak directly to the South Asian community and help drive a change in sport which will encourage and inspire more children to involve themselves in netball. 

"There’re lots of talented South Asian children in other sports such as cricket. However, it is vitally important that they’re given the same opportunities and see people like them in every other sport. 

"Winning these two awards is incredibly humbling. I feel very grateful to have this recognition as without a voice and passion for inclusion we won’t achieve change. 

"I feel very proud to have made such a difference for the South Asian community and hope that more children feel inspired to aim for a career in sport."

For more information see Ziana’s dedicated website.