Netball’s Sharon Beechey honoured for life

Douglas Netball Association celebrated their presentation night last Friday under the stars at Port Courts.

More than 80 players, the committee, umpires, family and friends attended the night, which consisted of a three course meal catered by Beaches Café and John Stevenson, followed by awards then some music.

It was a fun night enjoyed by all. The highlight of the night was Life Membership awarded to Sharon Beechey, for services to Douglas Netball. Sharon has been involved with DNA for many years and has coached, quite remarkably, the majority of players in all of the grand final winning teams and many of the runners-up.

Sharon started playing in the competition in the early years of DNA then ventured into coaching. She is currently the Marlin Coast Academy Coach. Sharon also has taken on the Presidency for DNA for the past two years and besides coaching two teams and overseeing the coaching and training of all the teams including reps, and training our up-and-coming coaches, she is pivotal in our healthy canteen, which provides nutritious hot and cold meals each week to our players, coaches, umpires, parents and volunteers. 

Sharon’s dedication to Douglas Netball was recognised on Friday night with a standing ovation for a deserving award.   

In Division 1, the Minor Premiers were the Cougars, the Grand Final Winners were Crocs 1 and the Grand Final Runners-Up were the Cougars with Player’s Choice going to Jodi Francis, Best and Fairest to Vivian Orr, Most Improved to Nadine Jones and Most Valuable Player going to Kirsty McKay.

In Division 2, the Minor Premiers were the Young Jets, the Grand Final Winners were the Young Jets and the Grand Final Runners-Up were Dynamite with Player’s Choice going to Marley Cairns, Best and Fairest to Tahlia Peterson, Most Improved to Nikia Duncan and Most Valuable Player going to Jess Eagle-Rowe.

In Division 3, the Minor Premiers were the 14/Under Representative team, the Grand Final Winners were the 14/Under Representative Team and the Grand Final Runners-Up were the Gunnars, with Players Choice going to Madi Malone, Best and Fairest to Lauren Radcliffe, Most Improved to Lucy Webster and Most Valuable Player going to Ella Dodds.

Umpiring awards were presented to those who had umpired extra games as needed throughout the year and for the junior carnival. That list included Liz Ryan, Lynne Kinrade, Marta Smith, Jo Cowe, Nichelle Pitt, Tracey Pashen, Danielle Bellero, Cassandra Hill, Megan Newel, Kim St. Pierre, Nadine Jones and Treveen Page.

Also, special thanks go to Jenni Walker who was canteen convenor for the junior carnival.DNA would like to thank Beaches Café, Bellero’s Electrical, Blood Orange, Corrine Garland, John Stevenson, John Wall and Beach Terraces for donations, and who also set up and helped out over the night.