A HIGH Wycombe netball player has been shortlisted for a national award in honour of her outstanding volunteer work.

Helen Bass, who turns out for the Apollo club, is one of three nominations vying for the title of Young Volunteer of the Year.

The Goalden Globe Awards are being presented by the sport's governing bodies, including England Netball, as a way of saying thank you to some of their star helpers.

Bass is being filmed coaching youngsters today with the footage being used to help decided the winner who will be announced in September.

Bass, 24, has been involved with Kingsmead Netball Centre since 1997 as a player, umpire and coach.

She started coaching aged 16 and has recently achieved her England Netball Level Two certificate.

Her involvement in the sport has resulted in the growth of both the Saturday Morning Junior Club and the midweek evening league.

She also oversees three sides in the South Bucks Junior League and her dedication has resulted in her election as vice chairman of Kingsmead Netball Club.

She said: "I am very pleased to have been nominated. It's great, but I do it because I love it and enjoy it. It's lovely to see the kids playing and improving, but to get something back is nice. It's nice to be recognised."

England Netball believes all those shortlisted for Goalden Globes are already winners Tiger de Souza, volunteer manager, said: "The contribution that volunteers make to netball on an annual basis is phenomenal and the achievements of these individuals are both exemplary and extraordinary."

Roger Draper, Sport England chief executive, said: "Every single week many thousands of people give their time generously in every conceivable way. Their stories inspire us all, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their contribution."

"They are helping people of all ages get active and stay healthy and they are contributing to the development and success of our elite athletes.

"In short, they are key to putting sport at the heart of our communities every single day. We congratulate all the England Netball volunteers."

For more information about the awards or to get involved in the sport as a volunteer visit the website www.yearofthevolunteer.org