It’s no secret that volunteers are the lifeblood of netball at all levels of the game, from grassroots right through to the elite.
And in South Australia, they play a significant role in the running and growth of netball across the entire state.
For the 2022 Volunteer Achievement Awards, Bron Thain has been named the winner of the Metro category and Mary Hewett has taken out the Country category.
The current president of the Oakdale Netball Club, many will know the hours Bron Thain puts into the success of her netball club.
Over the past three years as president, Thain has dedicated herself to creating an environment for girls and women of all ages and abilities to thrive.
In addition to all her work as president and in the coaching space in 2022, she was a key part in establishing the club’s inaugural First Nations Scholarship program.
Through the program, five Indigenous players were identified and awarded a scholarship to give them access to specialised coaching, financial assistance and individual support to help them grow their skills and confidence to take their netball goals further.
Thain has kept the needs of her community front of mind, ensuring the club gives back as much as possible.
This year, she led the club in raising funds for Childhood Cancer through the yellow laces campaign, which raised close to $10,000.
In addition, the club was involved in supporting the Red Cross and Red Nose Day through clothes donations, and re-gifting Oakdale uniforms for remote communities.
For Mary Hewett, taking out the Volunteer of the Year Award in Country was recognition of all she has done for her region, not only in 2022 but for the past 30 years.
Hewett has been a dedicated volunteer for three decades across many levels from club to association, to regional and state, taking on numerous positions.
Over the years, she has held the role of President, Vice President, Scorer, Treasurer, Umpires Coordinator, Northern Region Netball Committee member as a delegate for NANA and as Secretary and President.
She has also been a Website and Social Media Coordinator, and Association Teams coordinator and selector, and umpire and coach, and member of the working party that co-ordinates the Association Best and Fairest Presentation.
At State level, Hewett has been part of the Country Championships Organising Committee for many years, and Convenor for the past eight years. She has also organised the Country Champs Top 10 A grade Team being their Team Manager for almost a decade.
This year, she will retire from her roles in netball to begin travelling Australia with her husband, prompting her Association to nominate her for her outstanding commitment, dedication and passion to netball.
A loyal, hard-working, and highly respected member within the netball community, Hewett is a true ambassador to netball.
Thain and Hewett were presented with their awards at the Netball SA Awards Gala on Friday, October 14.
