Sheffield PE teacher's royal visit

A Sheffield PE teacher was invited to meet the Queen at a royal garden party in recognition of her outstanding services to netball in the region.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Jun 2016, 12:30 BST
Updated 16th Jun 2016, 12:33 BST
Helen Thorneloe at Buckingham Palace.Helen Thorneloe at Buckingham Palace.
Helen Thorneloe at Buckingham Palace.

Helen Thorneloe, who has taught for more than 23 years at Sheffield High School for Girls, attended Buckingham Palace recently alongside other distinguished guests.

She said: “It was such an honour to be invited.

“We were in the front row when the Queen came to meet everyone and she was delightful.”

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She had been nominated by the school’s headmistress Valerie Dunsford, who praised her lifelong dedication to sport.

She added: “Helen Thorneloe has been involved in regional and national netball for over 40 years as a player and a coach, becoming one of the most highly regarded netball coaches in the country.

“She has taught and coached thousands of girls during her career, some of whom have gone on to play in the Netball Superleague and for England.

The girls at Sheffield High School are very fortunate to have benefitted from her expertise.”

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Helen is set to retire this summer and to mark her career the school is hosting an alumni netball tournament on Saturday, July 2. This will form part of the school’s summer festival which will see former pupils from over the past 20 years return to honour Helen’s retirement.