Shepparton Netball Association, Tallygaroopna’s Olivia Curtis named as finalists for Netball Victoria Community Awards

Additionally, Tallygaroopna junior development officer Olivia Curtis deservedly scored a Coach of the Year nomination.

The winners will be announced via live stream at 7pm, Thursday, December 7.

SNA president Marilyn Wall said the nod was a welcomed pat on the back for the behind-the-scenes work done down at the Brauman St courts.

“It’s an honour to be nominated and get down to the final four, that’s for sure,” Wall said.

“We have a small committee, but a very hard working committee and we all work very well together.”

Meanwhile, Curtis, who has been entwined in Tallygaroopna’s junior zeitgeist for a decade and is now the club’s 11-and-under coach, was humble when quizzed about her nomination.

“It probably seems like an individual award, but it really takes a village to get to a point where you can coach a representative side and be nominated for such an award,” Curtis said.

“A lot of people have to put some faith and trust in you; the parents have to show up and say ‘yes’ when you ask them to cut up oranges or do the scoreboard.

“The kids are fantastic, they’re why I love it and keep going back, but all the support means that I can show up and coach.

“Not everyone has that luxury and aren’t as well supported as I am.”

Curtis has had quite the 2023 to remember.

She added a Kyabram District League Junior Netball Coach of the Year to her coaching resume, only a few seasons into her tenure leading the youngest competitive Redlegs’ age group.

The 11-and-under division was first introduced in 2020 and she knew straight away that was her next role.

With five wins, seven losses, and a draw in 2023, performance isn’t the be-all and end-all of Curtis’ ethos ― enjoyment comes first and the rest follows.

“I was instantly excited about having younger grades join our league and get involved in the enjoyment side of netball as well it still being a competition,” she said.

“I think netball in general can lead to a lot of life skills, teamwork, how to pick yourself up after a mistake, that you can win without winning.

“It’s amazing to watch the kids develop and be excited about their first centre pass, their first rebound, their first goal.

“Just that focus on not only winning, but just those individual targets that you can reach ― changing the focus from competition to what you can achieve other than having a W on the scoreboard.”

Curtis was also pleased to see SNA grab a nomination as well as Seymour-based umpire Matt Solomon, noting it’s great for the wider region to earn such warm plaudits.

“In the awards, one of the other finalists is from Corowa-Rutherglen, Matt Solomon, who umpires around the GV, the SNA was also nominated,” she said.

“It’s really nice to see people and organisations outside the city being recognised and acknowledged ― I love seeing that in the nominations this year.”

Finally, SNA’s night competition hosts its finals on Tuesday, beginning at 6.30pm at the Brauman St courts.