Left: Sharelle McMahon in action with Vixens (Courtesy netballviccomau)

Sharelle played a pivotal role in two breath-taking finishes at championship events, and can safely dine out on these alone when she finally hangs up whatever netballers hang up when they retire. She threw the match-winning goal in the dying minutes of the 1999 World Championship gold medal game against the old foe New Zealand in Christchurch; and she also shot the match-winning goal in double overtime at the 2002 to seal victory once again against New Zealand. Two heart-stopping victories against the Kiwis in one career would have seemed almost too good to contemplate in her early days.

Sharelle is now looking forward to sharing her knowledge with the next generation of athletes. "When I first played, 1 was very young and naive and have since learned so much", she says. "I am excited about sharing my experience with our younger players to ensure the traditions of the Australian Team continue." There is nothing like the cauldron of international competition to sharpen the senses, and Sharelle will undoubtedly bring poise and maturity to her new leadership position, and will be an ideal role model for the next generation of young netballers, including those at Wesley (who, by the way, have won the last two premierships). Her spectacular career has more than demonstrated her mental toughness, her outstanding skill and athleticism, and her reputation for fairness. Wesley is proud to have a connection with this exemplary young Australian.

Another "well-cut diamond"

And that connection will be maintained in the continuing service to the school of one of Sharelle's earliest mentors: that other "diamond", Marg Molina. Marg was appointed Head As first amongst these Australian gems, Sharelle McMahon Coach of Netball in 1994, and since then Wesley has won has exhibited precisely these qualities from her early days on five APS premierships and, this year, the combined APS/AGS court, having already earned respect for her amazing goal trophy. In that time Wesley has also been State Champion on shooting, athleticism, skill and sportsmanship. Sharelle is the four occasions. 19th captain in the sport's history, and the school honours her achievement. Netball is, after all, the most played game in Marg played ten years for Australia as a goal attack and goal the country, and is also attracting more and more spectators shooter, and was a member of two world championship sides. each year. She has also been an assistant coach with the VIS and the Kestrels, and a selector at both state and national levels. She Born in country , in the small town of Bamawn on the has managed the Australian team since 2004, and was there Murray, Sharelle spent the last two years of her secondary in this position to see Australia win back its World Champion education at Wesley, captaining the APS premiership team crown from New Zealand in 2007. Importantly, Marg is also in her final year It was a hard-fought victory against Geelong a teacher (in the Special Education department) and this Grammar, those formidable opponents from the Western has enabled her to impart her great understanding of this districts. Her Wesley career brought her under the wing wonderful game with patience and thoroughness, finding of former Australian player and administrator, and long­ many rewards in seeing the growth of her Wesley girls in both time Wesley staff member, Marg Molina. It was a fortuitous skill and perseverance. Happily, It still makes her heart sing. association. Sharelle debuted for Australia at just twenty years Anything but a "rough diamond", Marg rejoices in the new of age, in Jamaica in 1998, and has since been capped 97 name for the national side, since for her it signifies precisely times. She has already had a remarkable international career, the qualities she instills In her Wesley teams. and has in her burgeoning collection of awards and trophies two gold and one silver World Championship medals, as well as two Commonwealth golds, and one silver

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