Pakenham Lions Netball Club signed off on its 2022 Outer East season with a fabulous celebratory night on Friday 7 October with a marvellous gathering of over 220 guests attending the Presentation Awards Night.
Along with the many club and best and fairest awards presented, club secretary Sarah O’Neill was awarded a coveted life membership after years of dedicated service to the club.
Sarah is a pivotal member at the Paky netty family and has been over many years.
Sarah played all her junior years at Pakenham and then returned with her own daughters Charlotte and Georgia, who played juniors and are now both being highly valued senior players at Pakenham.
Sarah was presented her life membership by life members Jen Burridge and Jean Kelsey, with other life members Maureen McGrath, Joan Shelton, Jessica Dart, Julie Smethurst and Marg Jones all present to congratulate Sarah on her richly deserved honour.
It was fitting too that at Pakenham’s last home game for the Outer East season at Toomuc Reserve, Jen Burridge was presented with a Lifetime Service Award, adding to her life membership received many years ago.
Jen’s outstanding commitment and life time service as a volunteer makes her one of the true legends at Pakenham.
President Marg Jones made several acknowledgements in her welcome speech.
“I would like to thank our exceptional sponsors for their ongoing support, as well as the wonderful players, families, coaches, members and supporters of the club,” Jones said.
“We also understand the importance of our highly valued partnership and unity with the Pakenham senior and junior football clubs and for all that call Pakenham their home for now and into the future.”
Jones is passionate about her club, and proud of the community spirit that exists at Toomuc Reserve.
“From the speeches made on the night, by both senior and junior coaches and captains; you truly get the real sense of a much-loved community who pride themselves on providing a welcoming family and inclusive all-encompassing family club culture,” Jones said.
“It’s all centred around providing quality netball coaching with a team effort on and off the court based on a genuine respect and care for each other.”
Pakenham currently has 15 teams competing in the Spring/Summer mid-week Cardinia Life PNA netball competition.
With Pakenham remaining in the Outer East competition in 2023, the club now turns its attention to its upcoming 2023 netball trials.
Junior trials will be held on 22 October and 5 November with senior trials taking place on 27 October and 5 November.
New, current and past players are all warmly welcome to trial.
Enquiries can be made to pakenhamlionsnc@gmail.com or to register to trial, the link is as follows: https://netballtrials.com/clubs/pakenham-lions-netball-club/
