Norma Ker runs the control room for the Junior and Senior Netball Centre every Saturday morning from 8.30am – a job she has been doing for 47 years!
Her reason is simple – “You do it for the people. The people you get to meet and help. I’ve made lifelong friendships.”
A Patron of the Northern Wairoa Netball Centre in Dargaville, Norma is described as a kind, caring, approachable, encouraging, and enthusiastic volunteer.
“She has been involved with our centre for as long as I can remember, back when I was a young girl playing JMB netball in the early 80s,” said Simone Matthews a Life Member and Patron of Northern Wairoa Netball.
“I can remember her always being at the courts on those cold frosty Saturday mornings, setting up the goals, organising everything, and then hearing her chirpy voice over the intercom. Many years later Norma is still the first to arrive at the courts and continues to run the control room.”
Norma’s granddaughter Daryl Cathro recently nominated her for a Netball New Zealand Volunteer Award for her years of commitment and passion – Norma started volunteering for the game in 1977 and has had coaching, umpiring, and administration roles including being their Centre President.
“She does a wonderful job of making sure the teams and umpires check-in, controlling the timings of games with the ring of her trusty bell over the loudspeaker, announcing any messages, and helping with any inquiries,” said Daryl.
Like many netball volunteers, she has given her time to help other organisations also.
Norma has been very active in the community over the last two decades volunteering at the Dargaville Primary School for 12 years, at the Kaipara Budgeting Service, on the Holy Trinity Church Committee, and help initiate and guide a Leisure Marching Team from her experience as a Chief Marching Judge for Northland. Most recently (last 14 years) she was a passionate member of the St John Friends of the Hospital, which involved visiting the Dargaville Hospital to help patients fill out their menus for the following day, making hot drinks, and chatting with patients.
“Her commitment, time, dedication, knowledge, and love of netball is amazing and we’re so blessed to still have her volunteer at the centre,” said Simone.
If you are interested in becoming a netball volunteer, you can register your interest here and we will connect you to your local Netball Centre.