IF it were not for the passion and dedication of Kym Mayne and Jackie Horkings, the Sunraysia Football & Netball League wouldn’t be what it is today.
Both of the league legends were presented with life memberships at the SFNL awards night earlier this week, being recognised for their years of service and leadership to Sunraysia netball.
Ms Horkings played a pivotal role in the development of a senior netball competition in the league.
Prior to 1991, the only competitive netball played in Mildura was the night competition.
“That was good, but it was real ‘just turn up and go home’ sort of stuff,” Ms Horkings said.
“It just didn’t have that whole club development. Where I was before I moved here down in the Western District, footy and netball was big for juniors all the way up to seniors.
“It was really great going to on a Saturday and the older ones would coach the younger teams and everyone would umpire.
“There was just a real community spirit about it, which the night comp didn’t quite have.”
Ms Horkings decided she wanted to foster this community spirit locally, first organising informal games between South Mildura, Robinvale Euston, Mildura and the Imperials in 1990.
The competition was then formalised in 1991.
“A lot of women in footy clubs used to be on the outer, but it got them involved, and now there are often more netballers than footballers, so it has really helped a lot of clubs because it has increased their memberships,” Ms Horkings said.
“I always thought (the league) would be something good in time, but I get a real thrill just seeing how much it has evolved.
“It makes me really proud that to think I helped get it started – often the hardest thing is getting something started.
“It would be up with any league in the state I would think with the quantity and the quality of netball that we have.”
Ms Mayne has also been involved in the league since its inauguration, having an instrumental role in establishing and leading the representative netball program.
“It was so rewarding to see the progress of the young kids that were playing,” she said.
“It was also giving them a chance to compare themselves to other regions and other areas – if they didn’t have the rep squads, they didn’t get to see netball outside of Mildura, and realise that they are just as good as the city netballers.
“I grew up in Melbourne with representative netball, and I thought it was just the next step for kids in regional areas to have the same experience.”
Both Horkings and Mayne were humbled and grateful for the acknowledgment of their efforts over the past 30 years.
“You volunteer because you want to, you don’t volunteer for the accolades that come with it,” Ms Mayne said.
“It was quite nice though to be recognised for the services that I have done for the netball.”
