My Favourite GS and The Volunteer Vortex

I come to netball as a novice, I played vigaro in high school and for club way back when hair was permed and shoulder pads were wide, I come to netball as a fan of my daughter, she loves this game and all that it involves and has done since she was eight. 

When talking with a volunteer, Shirley Lennings, at our association in Brisbane (Go Metro) I discovered that Shirley's commitment to the game came from her daughter as well. Maybe it's not so scary penetrating that bastian of Netball knowledge which is the inter sanctum of "the Clubhouse" as I first thought.

 Looking in there are so many mothers with a background in playing, and as my daughter has moved up the ranks I find these mums a little intimidating, they know the system, the coaches, the selectors we even have a couple of ex-international players, I feel inadequate on helping my favourite GS get to where she wants to be, all I can call out from the sideline is "good job" " beautiful goal" " great team work" Maybe I should take a leaf out of Shirley's book and just dive on in there and support those around me who appear to be doing lots of great things for young girls.

Some of these Mums are also very inspiring, they coach, they still play and the volunteer for their clubs, something I haven't had the courage to do yet as I feel out of my depth. I do encourage my favourite GS to be as Much a part of her association as she can, she coaches, she umpires and of course she plays. I can envisage me looking after my grand kids on the sideline cheering for our favourite GS, as I see Shirley do with her granddaughters. Maybe I should volunteer more as my favourite GS gets her driving license and doesn't need me to be chauffeur.

I am passionate in my love of watching my favourite GS, I drive her to training and support the decisions of the coach and offer a different perspective when it doesn't seem " fair" , I haven't put my hand up to coach maybe I can put my hand up for support. That's when I first met Shirley, she was coach to my favourite GS in her first year of representing MDNA the mighty 14-3's, I kept a couple of cans of "Harden Up" in my bag and let Shirley take full reign of my favourite GS, she told her to eat properly before a game, to keep exercising to stay fit and to sleep well before a carnival. These things sunk in so much better coming from a coach and not Mum. We both learnt a lot from Shirley, I learnt not to become too involved or bigger than the game, the fact that my favourite GS loves playing should be enough, and my favourite GS learnt skills and how being a valuable team member can make playing so much more rewarding.

I see so many dedicated and passionate parents at MDNA courts on not only Saturady from sun up till sundown but throughout the week, organizing umpiring rosters, training my favourite GS and her team mates, ordering uniforms, working at the canteen ,scoring and so many more things that make the running of the Saturday comp run like a well oiled machine...maybe I can help with some of those tasks. Maybe I should get out of my comfort zone and become someone I admire. Maybe I should do what Shirley gave me as a piece of advise - challenge yourself to achieve what you want and go get it, never give up. It's the Aussie way, have a go! Be brave, be strong, believe in yourself...maybe I will!