June Subritzky’s first role as a netball volunteer came with simple instructions and it was enough to ensure she gave more of her time to a sport she loves.
What started out as a tentative step along the side-lines of the netball court with a whistle in hand grew into a passion for umpiring and grew into an opportunity to coach within the Mangonui Netball Centre.
Subritzky comes from a strong netball family and played her first game at Flatbush Primary School as a seven-year-old.
“I took to netball like a duck to water,” she fondly remembers. “But at that same moment my teacher tossed me a whistle. My netball knowledge was itsy-bitsy, but her instructions were clear. ‘No one touches anyone, only one step, and use your whistle June’.”
Most of Subritzky’s netball development took place in Kaitaia (Mangonui Netball Association) where she praises the many netball role models who guided her with coaching, management, administration and “all-round netball know-how”.
“I had many exceptional coaches and many netball role models who contributed to the cogs of our grassroots netball at home,” she said.
Unexpectedly, Subritzky’s role as a volunteer umpire would benefit her development as a coach and having achieved her New Zealand theory with whistle in hand, she turned some of her focus to guiding teams from the position of coach.
Her dedication to Mangonui was evident when one season she was at the helm of five teams, coaching a senior premier team, a senior secondary school’s side, a Year 7 and 8 representative squad, Year 7 and 8 club team and a Northland Area schools’ team.
“It could be said that I got out of control with my netball coaching,” she joked. “Due to my work travel this year I have stepped down from my coaching roles, but I will be back.
“There’s so much to share with others, but we can trust in their great capacity to comprehend, interpret, and apply what we pass on. But as coaches, we too have learning platforms.”
Subritzky also knows the important role that administrators play in the smooth running of a netball centre which is why she volunteered for executive roles and management to compliment the work she has done as an umpire and coach.
“It’s been an honour to have shared in contributing, and still, to netball as a whole,” she said. “We continue to grow exceptional members and I acknowledge the kindness of men, women, families, schools, and sponsors who have sustained us over the years.”
If you would like to find out more about volunteering or be connected to your local netball Centre to volunteer, click here.