Jenny Burridge from the Pakenham Lions Netball Club is the Gazette’s first Unsung Hero nominee for the 2006 season.By Glen Atwell
WHEN you ponder the characteristics of an unsung hero, passion, selflessness and determination immediately come to mind.
Jenny Burridge from the Pakenham Lions Netball Club is undoubtedly all of those, and more.
Jenny is also a coach, mentor and the first person to raise a hand when jobs need doing.
Through rain, hail and shine, Jenny Burridge is on the sidelines of the netball court every week, but her commitment to the Pakenham Lions goes far beyond the successes and failures of the Agrade team she coaches.
She was instrumental in coordinating the birth of the MPNFL Casey Cardinia Netball League in 2002 and has stood by her beloved Pakenham Lions ever since.
Although she coaches the Lion’s talented Agrade netballers, she still finds the time to cocoach the under15 team, is coach of the Gippsland Storm under17 side and a member of the MPNFL Interleague netball selection panel.
Jenny said the joy of seeing junior players evolve into quality senior players made her efforts worthwhile.
“The club encourages junior players to progress through the ranks and play senior netball.
“Some of the players have literally gone from the pram to playing senior netball, the Pakenham Football and Netball Club supports a real family environment,” Jenny said.
The professionalism of the Pakenham Lions Netball Club, both on and off the court, is a tribute to both the players and administrators, she said. “Everyone is so proud of the club and people want to play netball, that sort of attitude brings success.”
Despite playing a crucial role in the development of the club, Jenny is quick to dismiss her contribution as “the jobs someone has to do”.
“We all work hard to share the load of things to do and help take the pressure off the president.
“Someone has to do it, and that’s reality. In a sporting club there is always things to do.”
