​Doreen Patricia Allen  25/02/1929 to 27/06/2020

It is with sincere sadness that I announce the passing of Doreen Allen who was the Chair of the Metropolitan League up until 2018. 

Doreen was a member of Rowan Netball Club playing centre court positions and then taking up umpiring when her playing days ceased. She remained a loyal member of the club until it disbanded. 

Doreen then went on to obtain her umpiring qualification and gladly gave her services as an umpire to various clubs in the Surrey and Croydon areas. ​

​Approximately 20+ years ago Doreen along with Meg Beresford-Ellis offered their services as Chair and Secretary of the Metropolitan Netball League when the original founding Chair Eunice Smith stood down. Doreen held fast to the Metropolitan’s “friendly” league approach and encouraged all clubs, teams and players to participate in netball with dignity and respectfulness. She maintained a keen wish for the league’s matches to be used for unqualified umpires to practice on. She attended many Surrey County Netball Association meetings as the Metropolitan League’s representative. Doreen remained in post as Chair until her health forced her to stand down at the age of 89 years. 

Doreen also helped Meg with the Junior Netball coaching at Purley Sports Club inspiring many a young girl to play the sport she so loved. 

More recently Doreen’s lifelong commitment to netball was recognised by England Netball when she was honoured with a long service award for her various netball roles and volunteer work. 
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Doreen will be sadly missed by the Surrey and Croydon netball community and our thoughts and deepest sympathy go to her extended family.