PORT Stephens Netball Association continues to make an impact in community netball.
Fresh from their success at the recent Netball NSW State Awards Night in Sydney, the organisation took home the Community Excellence Award and celebrated two outstanding individual achievements.
The association was recognised for its leadership in grassroots sport, including its innovative Blue Band and Green Band initiatives supporting inclusion, accessibility and respect across community netball.
Port Stephens Netball Association president Jodi Cassar told News Of The Area that the Community Excellence Award “belongs to our entire community”.
“Every volunteer, coach, umpire, administrator and family plays a role in creating the culture we have at Port Stephens Netball,” Cassar said.
“We are incredibly proud to provide an environment where everyone feels welcome, supported and valued.”
The Blue Band Initiative supports players participating under inclusive netball adjustments for visible and invisible disability.
By wearing a blue wristband, players can be easily identified by umpires, allowing agreed modifications to be implemented while ensuring participants can play confidently and safely.
Separately, people of all ages with a disability can also enjoy their weekly all-abilities program.
The Green Band Initiative identifies umpires under 18 years of age through the use of a green wristband.
Introduced in partnership with Netball NSW, the initiative promotes respect for young officials, reinforces child-safe sporting environments and encourages positive experiences for the next generation of umpires.
There was also special recognition for Sue Xenos, who received the prestigious Anne Clark BEM Service Award for her nearly 40 years of contribution to Port Stephens netball, and Emma Penfold, named a finalist in the Margaret Corbett OAM Coaches Award.
For more than two decades, Xenos has served on the Port Stephens Netball Association Executive, while her involvement with the association spans almost 40 years, beginning with Medowie Netball Club.
A Life Member of both Medowie Netball Club and Port Stephens Netball Association, her dedication has helped shape generations of players, volunteers and officials within the Port Stephens netball community.
“Sue is the definition of selfless service,” Cassar said.
“Her commitment to netball, our members and our community has been unwavering for decades. This recognition is richly deserved and reflects the enormous impact she has had on countless people across our sport.”
Port Stephens were also proudly represented through accomplished netball mentor Emma Penfold, a NSW championship-winning coach from the Medowie Netball club.
While she didn’t take home the award, being recognised among the state’s leading coaches was an outstanding achievement in itself and highlights the calibre of coaching talent being developed within the Hunter region.
By Chris KARAS
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