A selection of South Australia’s best coaches, umpires and volunteers have been recognised by their communities for their invaluable contribution to the game they love.
Over the coming days, Netball SA will reveal the finalists across five categories before the winners are crowed at the inaugural 2021 Netball SA Awards on Friday, September 24.
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Nominations from across the state came flooding in this month for the Volunteer Achievement Award (Country and Metro), Coach of the Year (Performance Development), Coach of the Year (Community) and Umpire of the Year (Community).
Last week, the Netball SA Awards Panel - chaired by the General Manager of Netball Erin Haines and consisting of one Netball SA Board representative and two sponsor representatives - convened to review all nominations against the criteria and shortlisted the finalists.
Below are the finalists for the HCF Volunteer Achievement Award across both country and metro:
HCF Volunteer Achievement Award – Country
Kirsten Hawthorn – Crafers Netball Club
- Kirsten's blood runs hot pink! She has been a dedicated Crafers Netball Club member all her life, is a Life Member of both the Crafers Netball Club and the Hills Netball Association
- Kirsten has done it all for Crafers Netball Club from playing and coaching to several roles on the committee including recording officer for 17 years, president for 7 years as well as vice-president, secretary, equipment officer, umpiring coordinator and Net Set Go coordinator
- She has also held positions on the Crafers Sports Club for the past twelve years as well as the Hills Netball Association for the past thirteen years
- Kirsten is a much loved and respected member of the community and deserves every accolade for her work as a volunteer in netball
Julie McLaren – Myponga Netball Club
- The club’s “netball fairy”, Jules is always working tirelessly behind the scenes to make game days run smoothly
- Jules has worn many hats for the club over the years as a player, coach, team manager, vice-president, club secretary, and editor of the club newsletter, to name a few
- On a Saturday, she is always first to arrive and last to leave and does it all with a smile on her face and never has a bad word to say
- She is an amazing listener and voice of reason when we need one. When things get a little difficult, you can always count on Jules to get you through it
Beverley Nolan – Western Districts Netball Club, Kangaroo Island
- Bev has always been a dedicated player, coach, umpire, and general volunteer of WDNC but, this year, her contribution and influence within the club was even more far-reaching
- Became president in the wake of the devastating bushfires that destroyed their clubrooms and significant land across Kangaroo Island in 2020
- Worked tirelessly to gather a committee and help her club and community rebuild itself from the ground up
- Bev brought the community together to build a new area that all the clubs could enjoy. She leads from the front and the club walked calmly with her
HCF Volunteer Achievement Award – Metro
Helen Cutler – Seaford Storm Netball Club
- Helen’s contribution to Seaford Storm has been invaluable from establishment to the inclusive club it is today that not only continues to grow in its number of members, but also its retention of members
- As a player, coach, committee member, umpire and so much more, Helen has dedicated countless hours to the betterment of the club she loves
- Helen has helped shine a light on the gap in the association/club on incorporating more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural understandings, considerations, and changes
- Her mentorship to other committee members is creating a legacy the club will carry on into the future
Alecia Duke – South Adelaide Netball Club
- Alecia embodies the South Adelaide Netball Club values and the spirit of volunteerism. She joined the SANC committee in 2018 and has held numerous roles since
- She currently holds three formal committee roles in the club of Registrar, Junior Age Group Coordinator and Sponsorship Coordinator - but does so much more within the club
- On top of her committee roles, Alecia also coaches a team and has been a handy seamstress making branded face masks and making scrunchies for the club (and the Southern Academy)
- Alecia is the type of club member who puts their hand up when a job needs to be done whether or not it is in their job description
Mathew Hatchard – Eastern Park Demons Netball Club
- Starting his journey with Eastern Park Demons as a “netball dad”, Mathew’s dedication to the club has grown significantly over the years
- As a coach for the Demons for over 10 years now, Mathew has inspired well over 200 players to achieve their netball goals
- This season alone, he has coached four netball teams: A NetSetGo team and Inter 1 team at ENA and a Sub Junior 4 and Junior 4 team at AMND, demonstrating his passion for the club
- Mathew does not just stop at coaching though; he is also trained in many netball courses and has completed the standard umpire training. Not only does he volunteer to umpire at training sessions but has also volunteered to umpire at a recent school netball carnival to ensure students are able to take court
