Tracey Pemberton

Port Hedland Netball Association

Volunteering highlights

I’ve had many volunteering highlights especially since I have moved to the Pilbara. One of my biggest highlights was getting Net Set Go! started at Port Hedland Netball Association. We were hoping for an increase in our sub-junior numbers, which we certainly got with over 130 kids register for the new program. Another highlight would have to be working with our talented 17&Under netballers. Port Hedland had 7 girls be successful in the North West Netball Region Academy Teams which compete in Perth. The two teams that travelled, performed exceptionally well with the first team having 3 wins over the weekend and the second team having 6 wins and finishing the highest ranked country region. Performances in both divisions were huge improvements on previous years. The Hedland girls were big contributors to the teams success, they certainly did themselves and Port Hedland Netball Association proud.

Club and volunteering challenges

I think some of the biggest challenges are finding volunteers and retaining them and not because they don’t want to do the role but because they change jobs and leave town. I’m finding it’s important to involve as many people as possible and upskill as many people as possible so that way we have a large base of people that if one or two people do leave town it doesn’t mean programs will stop it is a matter of finding a few new faces and things can continue along smoothly. I also find the distance between towns and the distance to Perth a challenge at times particularly when you would like to offer representative sides more opportunities – the cost to get to other towns or to Perth is quite expensive and the time to travel can add another couple of days to a program. We try to plan programs well in advanced so that Associations know what programs are on and can inform athletes and fundraise accordingly.

For further information

Port Hedland Netball Association