Two Bundaberg coaches have been announced as Netball Queensland Award finalists with Sandy Baker nominated for Coach of the Year and Sharyn Batt nominated for Teacher of the Year.
The awards focus on what nominees have done in the last twelve months with winners announced at a ceremony in Brisbane on 7 October.
Bundaberg Netball Association President Matt Leighton said both ladies had been heavily involved in the sport locally and detailed the many ways in which they had supported young players in the region.
“Sharyn is a selector for Walkervale State School and a coach for her school girls,” Matt said.
“To ensure that those who compete in school sports have the opportunity to develop as players by having opportunities for higher honours, Sharyn volunteers as the Bundaberg School Sports Trials convenor, a selector and again as a coach.”
Matt said Sharyn was also a Wide Bay School Sport Selector and manager as well as secretary of Queensland State School sport for ten to twelve year olds.
“This is only part of Sharyn’s volunteering with netball as she is president of the Waves Netball Club as well as founding member and a life member,” Matt said.
“She is also Bundaberg Netball Association's latest life member and serves as vice president, selector and coach of the under 18 … representative team.”
Matt said Sandy, who was nominated for Coach of the Year, was the association's coaching convenor, mentoring coaches in the representative program thanks to her advanced coaching accreditation.
“Whilst helping other coaches, Sandy also coaches the under 13 Bundaberg rep team which finished tenth in Queensland at the Junior State Age Event in Townsville,” Matt said.
“This season for the Waves Netball Club, Sandy coached the Division 1 Waves Gold to their fourth premiership in a row in an undefeated netball season.
“She also coaches the Waves players in the ‘set' competition for under 7 and under 8 players.”
Matt said Sandy also worked hard to grow the next generation of local netball players by training young players using a modified ‘net' program as an introduction to the sport.
“So as well as coaching the best players in her club Sandy also coaches the young players at the beginning of their netball journey,” he said.
The Netball Queensland Awards will be held in Brisbane on 7 October.
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