Commemorative History Booklet 60Th Anniversary Luncheon Sunday 5Th August, 2012
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Moya Harris left, Betty Whelan (nee Rowe) right from our inaugural A Grade Premiership Team 1952 with Natalie von Bertouch and Jane Fitzgerald (Captain) 2012 Premier League Team. (Photo April, 2012) Commemorative History Booklet 60th Anniversary Luncheon Sunday 5th August, 2012 ETSA CONTAX NETBALL CLUB Premiership History as at 5th August, 2012 A GRADE/STATE LEAGUE PREMIERS 1952, 1970, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 CLIVE ARMOUR DIV I & DIV II PREMIERS – 2008 MOBILE SUPERLEAGUE PREMIERS – 1994 WINNERS – NETBALL SA CLUB EXCELLENCE AWARD 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT Welcome to the 60th Anniversary Luncheon 2012. I am indeed honored to be your Club President in this very special year for our club. There are many people who have contributed significantly over our 60 year history. From our inaugural year in 1952 where Contax Basketball Club first fielded that famous team who won the club’s first Premiership in our inaugural year, to this year, our Diamond Jubilee Year – 2012 where our club now known as ETSA Contax has fielded a total of 33 teams. In the past 60 years, we have won 16 Premierships at the highest level in our state and today we are here to celebrate the history of our club. It was evident to me when I joined this club almost 20 years ago that there has been a Lee-Anne long history of like-minded people who have been committed to our club excellence in Petherick netball and it’s development in SA. Today our club is one of the most recognizable clubs Club President in SA synonymous for success. We have been responsible for developing some of the best players and coaches that not only SA have seen but also Australia. The mighty Blues – ETSA Contax remain the benchmark of netball in SA at all levels from Juniors to the Premier League. We have developed a framework to allow opportunity for our players, coaches and umpires to develop to their full potential no matter what grade that may be. In researching our history for today, I have enjoyed speaking to many people along the way. I met Betty Whelan and Moya Harris – players from our inaugural team. These ladies send you their best wishes, as unfortunately they cannot make it today as Moya lives in Qld and Betty at Victor Harbor. Today we are indeed honored to have Lorraine Thompson (nee Wright) with us from our 1952 team. I read our clubs mission and aims published twenty years ago and they remain the same today which we share below. We celebrated our 60th Year with a Rival Revial Match against Garville. Players of the 80’s and 90’s a feature game. It was a fantastic night and I thank Marg Angove OAM for putting the team back together for this game. There was over 1,300 in attendance and even Channel 7 turned up to recognize the event. Sarah Sutter, Sarah Vidmar (Angove), Rebecca Sanders, Karen Whelan, Kim Delaney, Marnie Lock (Winter), Leanne Eichler (Oats), Lee Patterson (Smith), Monica Dinan, Tania Obst, Jane Woodlands-Thompson (Angove), Sharon Durbridge (Purser). Kathy Nelson and Helen Ward returned as managers and Pauline Edwards was Assistant Coach. We thank them all for their commitment that to our club – it was a true celebration of what makes our club so special. I would like to thank our sponsors who have contributed to our success. None more importantly than ETSA Utilities. ETSA came along as the first major sponsorship of our club 17 years ago. Their commitment over many years is a significant part of our history - we are indeed fortunate to have a close partnership with ETSA and we thank them for their ongoing commitment. Lastly - thank you for attending today and for your part in our club. Each of you has been 1. Perfection is not and will continue to be an important part of our history! attainable. But if we chase Cheers! Lee-Anne perfection, we can catch excellence. 2. Winning isn’t everything – but Our Aims have not changed wanting to win is • To continue to be successful at the highest level of netball in this state. • To continue to identify talented players and promote opportunities for them to Quote:- Vince develop to their maximum potential. Lombardi, Super • To continue to give considerable emphasis to development of a strong Bowl Coach – support base. “Coach of the • To promote good sportsmanship, club harmony and a professional approach Century” to all that we do • Achieving our aims is what makes ETSA Contax the great Club that it is. PAGE 2 STARTING OUT The First Decade (1952-1962) Contax Basketball Club was formed in 1952 consisting of a group of young girls predominantly members of the 1951 Junior State Team. Lena Pomeroy was coach of the newly formed Contax Club, a position she held until 1955. Lena was known as a strict but fair coach, and a good motivator. The name Contax resulted from a discussion between inaugural captain Margaret Rankin and her brother-in-law who was a camera enthusiast. He suggested a short simple name for the new club. “Contax” was the brand name of a camera used in that day. The Contax Netball Club would play in a fawn box-pleat tunic, white shirt, brown sandshoes, white socks and a chocolate brown v-neck jumper. Training was held on Wednesday nights on a court situated between the up and down tracks on Port Road at Woodville. The Contax home court for Betty Whelan receiving a pass in 1955 matches was Court 3 at Sports Park. The courts had a dirt surface, and teams were responsible for lining their own court prior to the match. Contax won the premiership in their first year, defeating Tango by 2 goals in the 1952 Grand Final. Information about the club for the following few years is scarce. Fay Dumont coached Contax in 1958. Jenny Badman joined the club. By 1960, the club was struggling to survive. Jenny kept the club together by performing multiple functions, including A Grade captaincy, arranging uniforms, and matches. In 1961, the club did not have a coach to start the season. Jenny, together with several other players convinced Mavis Buckingham to take over the coaching role. We thank Jenny for working so hard to keep the club together in difficult times, and recognise her contribution in helping the club to grow to the strength it is today. The next A Grade coach was Merle Oldham. Lorraine Wright (on right) contesting a ball in 1953 – Contax V Tango Raiders GROWING IN THE SIXTIES The Joan Horner Era (1963 – 1972) In the latter part of 1963, Joan Horner was approached by Moira Clarke to give some assistance to the A Grade team. This led to Joan’s appointment as A Grade coach in 1964. She continued in this position until 1972. The late Joan Horner is a Life Member of our Club. Her support of Contax continued long after this era, as she addressed players and parents at official club functions until the mid nineties. In 1965, player subs were 4 pound 10 shillings ($9), and one new ball was purchased. In 1966, the Club took a big step forward in growth. In the past, Contax had only fielded senior teams. Pauline Fielden introduced junior training at Daly Oval Courts, Hectorville. Contax entered 2 Primary teams consisting of 16 girls who had never played before. A junior team was added to this in 1969. Uniform hire in this era was $1 per year. In 1969, the A Grade team plus 2 officials flew to Woomera for an exhibition and coaching weekend. 1970 produced the second premiership for the Contax Club. This was an amazing result, given that Contax finished 4th in the minor round. Contax defeated hot favourites, Garville by 9 goals in the Grand Final. By this time, the Club had grown to 5 senior teams and 4 junior teams. SAWBBA introduced a fine of 10c for orange peel left around the courts. They also produced a monthly basketball newsletter. Lorraine Winkworth catches 1971 saw a name change to our sport. Basketball was out. Our game the ball in front of Garville's would now be known, as it is today, netball. 2 Intermediate teams were Margaret Carter in the 1970 fielded for the first time. Jan Noel organised the junior teams, a job she Grand Final PAGE 3 carried out for a number of years. PLOUGHING THROUGH THE SEVENTIES (1973- 1979) Pauline Fielden was appointed A Grade coach in 1973. Her team played in the Grand Final that year, but unfortunately lost by 2 goals. In 1976, Contax senior teams said goodbye to the box pleat tunics. A fawn skirt with 2 inverted pleats; front and back was worn with sky blue grand slam collared shirts. Also in 1976, junior training was transferred to the central location of Edwards Park to enable players from other suburbs to play for Contax. In 1977, Daphne Axford took over the A Grade coaching role for one season, until Jenny Bonnett coached in 1978 and 1979. The club hit a low point, and faced A-Grade relegation after finishing bottom in 1979. The first Life Members of the Contax Netball Club were announced and honoured in 1979. They were 1977 Inter 2 Premiership Team. Life member Pauline Fielden and Joan Horner. Wendy Noel (Boundy) is standing next to coach Jenny Geytenbeek on the right. THE EIGHTIES (1980 – 1990) Enter Margaret Angove In 1980, Margaret Angove was appointed A Grade Coach.