Intruders Netball Club stalwart Paula Moreland has had the honour of being named a life member, recognising her constant commitment to the netball club.
Moreland started at the Mount Gambier Netball Association (MGNA) club in 2009 as a spectator when her daughter started playing for Intruders after the family moved from Robe.
The following year, Moreland played on the court in a season long stint as goal attack in B1 before retiring the following season due to injury.
Moreland joined the committee as a member in 2011, progressing to vice president and umpire coordinator throughout the years and switching between the roles each season.
This season she embodied both roles as well as MGNA umpire coordinator and MGNA board member.
Moreland said receiving life membership meant a lot.
“Even though I do not play or anything I have quite a big role within the club anyway but it’s just nice to be recognised for the roles that I have had and I am still doing,” she said.
“My favourite part of the club is the friendships.
“When I moved here (from Robe) I had no friends here and all my friends are from Intruders and they are just like sisters to me,” she said.
“We’re a good club and very family oriented.
“Shane Dycer has done an amazing job looking after the sponsorship side of Intruders this year and he is just fantastic at it.”
Moreland said going forward she would like to see juniors take up more of a role within the club and progress further up in the grades.
“I want to get them more motivated throughout the club, I think if they have the knowledge of what happens in the club it will make them better players and everything else they want to be,” she said.
“I think it is nice to have younger people on the committee for fresh ideas and everything else.
“They tend to realise how much work is actually behind the scenes when they’re on the committee and what they have to do to keep the club running.”
Intruders president Cath Dycer said Moreland was very deserving of the life membership.
“It is really fantastic to be able to induct a new life member, someone whose passion and commitment to the netball club and also to the game of netball, is inspiring,” she said.
“I take my hat off to her for her passion and love for the game and the way she supports everyone.
“There is nothing Paula would not do, she’s always around to help, she’s always available, resourceful and supportive to players, families, parents, umpires and coaches.
“If anyone has a problem and they do not know what to do, she’s the person they go to.
“We are very fortunate to have her in the club, but the other clubs also rely on her as well for guidance, support and information.
“It is great to see a person who has such a positive effect and a roll-on effect, not only to us, but to the other clubs within the association.”
Moreland is one of only nine life members of the club, joining Anne Domaschenz, Sally Dean, Kristy Arnold, Stacy Jantosh, Judy Kamp, Leanne Hunt, Jan McIntyre and Mellissa Norman.
