Jannali Netball Club was Founded 1966
While there was, at the time, a netball club at Oyster Bay, negotiations were carried out with the District Association and a Constitution for the new Jannali Netball Club (JNC) was prepared. On 3 March 1966 the Jannali Basketball Club’s inaugural meeting was held in the Jannali Scout Hall, and a five-member committee was elected.
The initial committee comprised President, Joan Stilgoe; Treasurer, Pat Sevenoaks; Secretary,
Mrs Canham and delegates Mrs Canham and Mrs Watson, who all had invaluable experience administering other sports and were instrumental in successfully developing the club into a going concern. Its aim was, and continues to be, ‘a family-orientated environment that provides an opportunity for all ages, gender and ability to play and enjoy netball.’
In the ensuing years, finding suitable training grounds required effort and funds. In 1969, the club was renamed Jannali Netball Club, with training initially in the grounds of Jannali Public School, where two posts were erected, lines were marked and the grass was well mowed.
Training also took place on the Women’s Hockey Field in Soldiers Road, and later at Como West Public School. Courts were then developed and largely funded by JNC behind Jannali Public School. As netball moved from grass to asphalt to plexi-plave, new courts were required and we are proud to now have home courts in Soldiers Road.
The Nursery Program was introduced in 2002, allowing 5–7 year olds to join a 12-week program aimed at developing basic skills. We have modified rules played from 8-10 years, and we are the only Sutherland Shire club to allow both males and females to participate in mixed teams from 8 years up to 12 years of age, fielding mixed junior teams in 2010 and 2011.
While traditionally JNC has always had many more junior than senior teams, that trend has seen a change in the last three seasons as we field increasing numbers of senior teams.
Our first uniform was a three-box pleated dress with a yellow and white striped shirt, which was proudly worn in the march-past at the beginning of every season. We progressed to skirts and tops in 1981 and have modernised them several times over the years, giving us our current light-weight, stylish and colourful uniform.
Fundraising was always an integral part of JNC for purchasing much-needed equipment and providing social opportunities such as picnics, fashion parades, progressive dinners, fun days and trivia nights. Later years saw the chocolate
drive as our main fundraiser. Our current banner, purchased from funds raised in
1975, continues to be used today.
In 2012 members voted to cease fundraising activities in exchange for paying a funding levy on registration, which places less pressure on players and families.
Some of our interesting and historical statistics include:
Our first A1 team was fielded 1984, and won its first and only premiership in 1999.
Our most successful year was 2010, with eight premiership-winning teams.
We were awarded SSNA’s Most Successful Club in 2001 and 2010.
One coach and 10 players have achieved SSNA representative status.
While we are a small club in comparison to many others, in our 50th season we have fielded 32 teams, with a record-breaking 34 teams in 2014.
In a female-dominated sport, JNC recognises the enormous contribution by fathers,
husbands, brothers and grandfathers, especially in the early years. From our inception, men have been actively involved as committee members, coaches and managers and today continue to play a major role within our club.
We have implemented many strategies to improve the performance of our players, coaches and umpires.
A Coaching Coordinator was introduced in 1982 to provide support and advice
to coaches, and our coaches are also offered places in clinics run by SSNA.
An Umpires Convenor works under Netball NSW framework, overseeing the training and examination of umpires from certificate to national badge level. Pre-season fitness classes are held in conjunction with skills and development clinics for players and coaches.
Our club is indebted to all those who have contributed through coaching, managing, umpiring and serving as committee members, and we appreciate that they bring to their positions a mix of skill, experience, knowledge and expertise. Without this vital input from so many, Jannali Netball Club would not exist.
During the last half-century, over
150 families have given 10 years of service,
17 have given 20 years,
8 have given 25 years,
6 have given 30 years and 2 have given over 50 impressive years of service and . These two families, The Barrs (aka Phair/Green) and the Huttons (aka Keir), have exceptional service records and, in our 50th Anniversary season, we acknowledge their contribution.
We are also proud that five of our members have received the Hughes Electorate Community Award and two the SSNA Marj Groves Award – all for service to netball. Life membership has also been awarded to 28 members.
We also recognise outstanding contributions at our annual presentation nights
with perpetual coaching, umpiring and service awards.
Even sports clubs have to keep up with technology and our website was launched in 2011, rapidly becoming the primary source of information for all things associated with the club and putting an end to our printed edition of weekly news, with Facebook and Twitter accounts added shortly after.
Online registration was introduced in 2015
In our 50th season, we are proud of our history and progression and, in conjunction with Sutherland Shire Netball Association, we trust that Jannali Netball Club will continue to provide many more opportunities for males and females of all ages to play and enjoy the fantastic sport of netball.
OUR LIFE MEMBERS
Hilda Munro, Beryl Keep, Margaret Arnold, Margaret Williams, Joan Stilgoe, Beryl Morgan*, Marie Hutton*, John Barr, Pat Barr, Jenny Follett (Arnold), Elizabeth Fraser (Arnold), Anne Hutton (Keir), Eleanor Harkness*, Susan Barr (Phair), Peter Wren, Lynnette Pinkerton, Carolyn Green (Barr), Jackie Fallins (Lawes), Susan Harkness, Donna White*, Jan Ware, Meredith Delaney (Lawes), Merridy Hill, Jenny Jessop, Cindy Almond, Meredith Douglas, Bronwyn Hearnden, Ashleigh Hillier, Ashlee Green and Kim Schnabel
* It is with sadness we acknowledge the passing of these Life Members
OUR FOUNDING COMMITTEE – 1966
President – Joan Stilgoe
Treasurer – Pat Sevenoakes
Secretary – Mrs Canham
Delegates – Mrs Canham & Mrs Wattman
Our Committee – 2024
President – Richard Bean
Vice President – Tony Pearce
Secretary – Sue Phair
Treasurer – Sue Phair
Assistant Treasurer – Pat Barr
Senior Registrar – Carolyn Green
Umpires Convener – Abbey Wells
Minutes Secretary – Sue Phair
Coaches Coordinator – Belinda Bonnett
Managers Coordinator – Belinda Bonnett
Gear Steward – Belinda Bonnett
Uniforms – Kim Schnabel
Social Media – Abbey Wells
Grading Committee – Sue Phair, Carolyn Green, Ashlee Green
Carnival Convener – Sue Phair
Nursery Coordinator – Vacant
INTO OUR FUTURE
Despite many sporting choices now being available for females, netball remains the most popular.
While the majority of committee members, coaches and managers have had a long association with netball, the willingness to share and involve younger members in our club’s operations will ensure it remains viable well into the future. We hope to continue to provide a service to our local community by providing an environment where people can unite and gain all the benefits of belonging to a club and playing a great team sport.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Belonging to a club is a very special experience of community; a group of people who may be very diverse in so many ways come together for a shared activity. Differences are set aside as everyone focuses on shared goals to help each player, team and, ultimately, the club be the best that they can be.
As well as the joy of physical activity and the pleasure of playing netball, team sport teaches essential life skills such as persistence, the value of practice and steady improvement, teamwork, goal setting, how to follow instructions and even how to plan\ and adapt a strategy while under pressure. Perhaps most importantly of all, playerslearn to be gracious in defeat and humble in victory. As parents, we play a fundamental role in the club and enhance our children’s positive experience of being part of a community. How we relate to each other and work together – perhaps officially as coaches, managers, on the committee or in other roles, how we show respect for the umpires, officials and other team members demonstrates our own character and teaches our players invaluable life skills.
Players and families come and go as part of our club. Some play with us for only a short time, others are into their third generation. We all benefit from the dedication and commitment of those club members who came before us. We acknowledge those founding members who had the vision and tenacity to establish the club and we, in turn, contribute to those players and families who will join the club in the future.
All players and families should be proud of their association with the Jannali Netball Club.
