Back in May 2016 teenager Eliana Kneen started working towards her Pass on Your Passion Award, which requires carrying out 400 hours of netball-related volunteering .

It must have seemed like a massive target to meet within the two-year period the scheme allows, yet Eliana has done it with six months to spare.

Eliana is the first person to achieve the Pass on Your Passion award in the Isle of Man and will be recognised for her contribution at next year’s England Netball Goalden Globe Awards.

Eliana plays for Route 1 Netball Club and is a member of the Isle of Man under-14 squad.

She did a wide range of volunteering activities including umpiring junior matches, scoring senior matches, assisting at tournaments and producing posters.

The high point of her volunteering was being a ball girl at the England v New Zealand match in Liverpool in February.

Talking about the experience Eliana said: ’It was a dream come true.

’I got to be courtside, retrieve and return balls that had gone out of court.

’Being there has made me want to pursue my dreams of representing my country even more.’

Isle of Man netball development officer Rachel Andrew said: ’400 hours volunteering in a year and a half is a real stretch, especially when balancing it with school work and other commitments.

’Eliana is quite rightly very proud of her achievement as are her parents Laurelle and Jonathan.

’Congratulations Eliana from everyone at Manx Netball Association.’

FIXTURES: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Manx Cup, round one - all ties at NSC

9amSMP Ballasalla A v Route 1 C9amSMP Ballasalla B v Simcocks Green Eagles

10amMissfits A v Thompson B10amRoute 1 B v Missfits B

11amSMP Balla C v Thompson A11amRoute 1 A v Castletown

12pmSimcocks B v Marbree Motors

12pmSimcocks A v Manx Gems