Prestigious honour for Marg

Much-loved Pakenham Netball Club president Marg Jones was awarded the Volunteer of the Year by Netball Victoria.

By Nick Creely

Chances are that when players, coaches, volunteers and supporters arrive at Toomuc Reserve every Saturday during the netball season that they will be greeted by the smiling face of Marg Jones.

The beloved Pakenham Lions Netball Club president is the heartbeat of the netball community – a dedicated and passionate volunteer for the sport and an incredible motivator during what has for the most part been a tough and testing 2020.

For Marg, 2020 has been about turning something negative into a positive and help make a difference.

Recently, Marg took out a prestigious honour at the 2020 Netball Victoria Community Awards, taking out the Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of her tireless efforts in ensuring that her netball family at Pakenham would stay connected during the pandemic, as well as being a driving force behind maintaining a positive wellbeing among players and staff.

She said that it was an absolute honour to be recognised, and praised the entire netball club at Pakenham for their unwavering support.

“I was in shock to be honest and completely overwhelmed at being nominated, and with the calibre of the other nominees, had no thoughts of winning,” she told the Gazette.

“So when it was announced that I was a co-winner with Sally Morton from South West District Football Netball league I was speechless and quite emotional, but extremely proud and honoured and accepted the award on behalf of the entire team at Pakenham.

“It is a real team effort at our club – we have amazing coaches, players, families, committee, sponsors and supporters who all work together for the benefit of all who call our club their netty home.”

While there was no on-court action in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Marg said it was vitally important that as a netball club, connection remained strong, and that at times it was important to put aside the focus on the play and ensure that each member was healthy and happy.

From Zoom sessions to a range of other fitness and wellbeing programs organised by the club, Marg and her committee have ensured that this was not a wasted year.

“It has been a real team effort. The coaches and committee made an objective that we would stay in contact with every member to ensure they knew we were there for them if they needed, this was so important to us,” she explained.

“The team worked tirelessly in running weekly zoom sessions which included fitness, training, yoga, wellness sessions conducted by our club chaplain David Sollberger, catch up sessions and of course through sponsorship from Bendigo Bank, Netball Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria and AFL Outer East engaged the empowering Re-Connect program offered by Dave Burt and his team at Sports & Life Training (SALT).

“We did club motivational videos reminding everyone of what we had achieved together in our pre-season before Covid-19 hit, we sent regular text messages, club emails and utilised social media on a weekly basis.

“Our message was about staying connected and used the netty saying “here if you need, always”. At our Zoom Presentation Night we had over 100 families join us for what was a fabulous night.”

Marg juggles her netball club commitments with full-time work and family life, and said that with all those elements together, she is incredibly lucky.

“I am very lucky in that I have a very supportive company I work for in FCA Financial where I am employed full time as a Client Service member together with the most amazing supportive loving family with my husband Sven and my beautiful girls Emma, Katie and Sarah who are all as passionate about the club as I am,” she said.

“Somedays it is a balancing act, but all understand how passionate I am about always doing my best for this club and all who call her home.

“I came from a family whose parents always volunteered and held positions on committees. My first committee role was when I was 18, and I have been volunteering since then and enjoy giving back.

“The club is my netty family, we have the most wonderful people involved here. Life long friendships have been formed, and I am truly grateful for that from our dedicated coaches, inspiring players, motivated committee, supportive families, committed partners in our sponsors together with our amazing supporters and officials.

“We stand proudly shoulder to shoulder with Pakenham Football club, and have enjoyed working on the Toomuc Reserve Building Project process to get to know our fellow community clubs in cricket, little athletics and baseball who share this space as their home.

“I feel very honoured and privileged to be the president of this mighty club in our community.”

Marg had plenty of people to thank for helping her through this year and along the journey so far.

“I would like to acknowledge my committee especially the Executive team of Ann Molino (VP), Julie Smethurst (treasurer and life member) and Sarah O’Neill and our amazing coaches headed up by head coach, Karen Meredith,” she said.

Also, David Sollberger, our club chaplain, for his compassion, understanding and incredible insight in helping everyone, we are truly blessed to have him at our club.

“The dedication and commitment shown by all these outstanding people to our club is inspiring. We pride ourselves at Pakenham Lions Netball Club as being a team effort on and off the court.

“I would like to thank the team at AFL Outer East led by Aaron Bailey for all their guidance and support over 2020, it has been greatly appreciated.”

With 2020 now behind them, the Lions are gearing up for 2021, and Marg said that the excitement generated from the netball club is gaining momentum by the day.

“2021 is shaping up bigger and better than ever,” she said.

“We had three weeks of training as part of our selection process, and all 2021 offers have gone out and been accepted with great enthusiasm. We are so excited building on the talent and depth of our 2020 squads into 2021 and the ongoing commitment our players show to our mighty club.

“The excitement of returning to train, to see the smiles and hear the laughter of our players just filled me with joy.

“Our mid-week stadium teams have returned to their Cardinia Life program, and we remain optimistic for 2021 with returning to play in AFL Outer East Competition.”