Inaugural Junior Netball Medal Ceremony Rewards Excellence
Wednesday 6 August 2014 – Junior netball players and their families packed out the Bay City Outreach Centre in Hastings
yesterday to attend the inaugural Unison Netball Medal Award ceremony, which recognised one star player from every
Hawke’s Bay junior netball team.
Having added junior netball to its sponsorship portfolio earlier this year, Unison Group Chief Executive Ken Sutherland
said the Company was delighted to launch the event which followed a similar format to the well-established junior rugby
ceremony, taking place next month.
“We have seen, first-hand through the junior rugby programme, just how esteemed the Unison Medal has become, so it made
sense to launch a similar event for junior netball.
“These netball players have been nominated by their coaches in recognition of their great discipline, work ethic and
fair play throughout the season, and these are all traits we want to celebrate and encourage in our young people.”
Hawke’s Bay Netball Operations Manager, Tina Alridge, said the best part about it was seeing the children smiling from
‘ear to ear’ as they took the stage to collect their medal.
“They were just so chuffed, it was really heart-warming to see, and the parents in the audience were equally proud.
“It’s a great initiative and we have been really encouraged by Unison’s support of junior netball in our region – it has
certainly helped lift its profile.”
170 junior netball players were awarded with a Unison Medal.
A full list of medal winners will be available on the Unison website by the end of this week.
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