Netball South Awards Inaugural Life Membership

A sporting involvement spanning 37 years has earned Eastern Southland netball stalwart Alison Cormack life membership of Netball South.

Bestowed the honour at Netball South Zone’s AGM in Invercargill on Saturday, Cormack is the first recipient since the organisation’s inception in 2012.

A former Southland Country representative player, Cormack embarked on her umpiring journey in 1988 and progressed through the ranks to officiate both nationally and internationally. She continues to mentor umpires and has been a dedicated member of the Netball Eastern Southland committee.

Service Awards were also received by Noeline Scott, Kerry Seymour, Liz Freeman, Cheryl Blair (South Otago), Lauren Piebenga (Dunedin), Anne Reid, Ngami Prattley and Dianne Dickens (Eastern Southland) – their combined contribution to netball totalling over 260 years.

Netball South chairman Paul Buckner told delegates 2017 was an “immensely positive” year for the Zone, with the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel’s ANZ Premiership victory one of many highlights.

“Everybody in the Zone at every level can be proud of that,” he said.

“I go up to the Netball New Zealand council meeting and honestly consider that the best Zone in the country is this one.

“We are all about sustainability and that’s not just financial sustainability but relationships as well. The togetherness of our centres and their connection to Netball South is constantly improving.”

Dunedin Netball representative Joyce Andrews credited Netball South with evolving the sport locally.

“You guys have moved netball forward in the Zone. Sustainability is improving as well as collaboration and we’re really looking forward to what’s in store,” she said.

Speaking to the financials, Netball South board member Adrienne Ensor confirmed the organisation had posted a $4,000 surplus for the 2017 year.

“It’s the second year in a row that we’ve got a surplus – small as it may be, any surplus is great,” she said.