Our Management team

I’ve been involved with Essex Open Netball Club for the past four years—first as a parent, then as a team manager for the last two years.

I recently gained my Level 1 coaching qualification and am excited to take a more active role in supporting the club. I’m passionate about helping the players grow and contributing to the club’s continued success in any way I can.

I learnt to play netball in Sri Lanka where I grew up.  I have now been coaching for almost 15 years, starting off coaching at primary school level and now coaching the U13s team and taking over for the U10s team next season.

My name is Sharmikha Chandrakumar. I started playing netball when I was 10 years old and went on to play for Essex Open Netball Club from the ages of 12 to 18. During that time, I gained valuable experience in teamwork, communication, and competitive play. My passion for the sport has continued to grow, and I am now proud to be the coach of the U10s team. I enjoy helping young players develop their skills and confidence on and off the court.

I am new to coaching at Essex Open & will be taking on the U11 team. I have been coaching netball on a voluntary basis at Theydon Bois Junior School for the last 3 years where we have won the Epping Forest Netball League & Rally, and runners up for the last 2 years.

I played Netball myself from age 10 - 18 & played for Leytonstone as a teenager. I recently went back to playing netball socially, which has helped me pass my coaching level 1 & am a qualified umpire.

I’ve played netball from a young age and have been a dedicated Essex Open player. Primarily a centre, my energy defined my playing style, and I’m excited to bring that into my first coaching role. Outside netball, I’m a qualified personal trainer with over 20 years’ experience in the fitness industry, along with certifications in Reformer Pilates and nutrition. I aim to integrate this expertise into coaching, focusing on athleticism, injury prevention, and performance to help players excel on court.

Top 3 coaching achievements: 1. Joining the EN workforce as a coach educator. Training and supporting future coaches in their development and attainment of their qualification

2. Obtaining the Level 3 coach qualification and the A- award umpire badge (enabling me to observe professional coaches and umpires at the highest standard).

3. Supporting my daughter's netball team and spending time with her

I started as a team manager over 13years ago My passion for netball led me to complete my Level 1 and 2 coaching qualifications, along with the INTO Officiating award. I am currently Assistant Coach for the U12 and U13 teams and will step into the role of Head Coach for the Development training from September. I love netball and am especially passionate about helping each girl grow in skill, confidence, and enjoyment of the game.

I’m 29 with over 10 years of coaching experience. I began playing netball at 7 and joined Essex Open at 10. My journey includes Barking Abbey Academy under Kadeen Corbin and the University of Hertfordshire with Melanie Mansfield. I spent two years as Assistant Coach at London Pulse, working in their elite performance pathway. Passionate about developing young players, I focus on building confidence and helping athletes reach their full potential both on and off the court.

I have coached at Essex Open since 2020. I have spent the last 5 years coaching junior teams in the Essex Met league and U14 Regional League. This season I am moving to the seniors and coaching the 6th team. I have coached netball at school level since 2007. I have completed my level 2 qualification and England Netball Talent Identification Course. I also coach at the Elite Netball Academy. I play for Essex Open in their second team.

I have been coaching netball for over 40 years across a wide range of levels, including schools, junior and senior clubs, borough and county teams, as well as Super League franchises. I hold a Level 2 coaching qualification and am also a qualified B award umpire. In addition to coaching,

I have supported others in the sport by acting as a coach mentor, umpire mentor, and qualified selector. I am passionate about developing players and officials at all stages of their netball journey.