Ziana Butt BEM – Winner of 'Volunteer of the Year' Award
Ziana is an England Netball Young Volunteer and Youth Sport Trust Forum representative committed to making the sport more inclusive. A visible athletic role model, and a co-author of the book Aisha’s Netball, she is breaking the stereotypes, encouraging conversation about diversity, inclusion and sport, and making all Asian youngsters more accepted.
In recognition of her incredible contributions to netball, Ziana received a British Empire Medal in the Kings New Year’s Honours, for services to netball and diversity. Within the Netball Family, Ziana also was named Young Volunteer of the Year at the ONE Awards (for which nominations are now open for 2023). Last week, Ziana was also recognised as part of the 2023 Community Sport and Recreation awards, shortlisted as Volunteer of the Year in a ceremony that took place at the home of England Rugby, Twickenham Stadium. At the event Ziana was able to chat with HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, sharing a brilliant discussion on Netball whilst also networking with some other fantastic volunteers and sporting initiatives.
To add to her list of achievements, Ziana has been named 2023 London Sport Award for Volunteer of the Year.
Ziana hopes winning this accolade will further help her on-going efforts to show people sport is for everyone:
“I feel incredibly honoured to win – I felt incredibly honoured to even be in the final. There are so many amazing people out there who do so much incredible volunteering. The award isn’t just for me – it is an opportunity to continue making sport more accessible, continue making it a more inclusive environment, and continue encouraging more South Asian youngsters to take up sport."
Congratulations Ziana!