After the biggest and best Origin Energy Premier League competition to date, we reached out to our 2022 Awards Winners to see what the past season has meant to them.
Here we chat to the recipient of the Lynn Quinn OAM Bench Official of the Year Award.
Lynn Quinn OAM served Netball NSW in many capacities over decades but was a pioneer in the bench officiating space. A Hall of Fame inductee, she also holds Life Membership of the organisation.
This Award is presented to a bench official who demonstrates a desire to strive for excellence, shows consistency in performance in competitions run by NNSW and continues to improve their knowledge of the game.
In 2022 the winner was Raelene Turner of Parramatta Auburn.
Below she tells us what the Award means to her.
- What does this award mean to you?
This is a prestigious award and I am honoured to be this year’s recipient. It’s an acknowledgement of a job well done and the justification to pursue something I love doing. Setting my own goals and focusing on learning and developing the craft, and being committed each week certainly enabled me to achieve this accolade. This award is also the combination of the team I get to work with week in, week out, and acknowledgement of the support and leadership from the bench mentors. I am grateful for the recognition; it motivates me to continue performing through the pathway.
- Why do you enjoy what you do?
Volunteering gives me a purpose outside of work and home life and allows me to be part of a great community. Working as a bench official gives me the best seat in the house whilst contributing to an important role for all players, umpires and spectators. Scoring and timing must be correct and this holds me accountable for my actions. I love the challenge of this high-paced, focused role and the interaction with team white and working as a team on the bench is certainly a highlight for me. Of course, the overarching reason why I enjoy what I do is the sport, I love the game.
- What is your favourite memory in your time in Netball?
Oh, this is a hard question for me as I have had the opportunity to make many memories. I grew up around the netball court, participated and watched many State and State Age Championships, experienced Suncorp and international matches on the bench. However, I come back to this memory: coaching and managing young players through the junior program (NetSetGO, junior representative, men’s netball) and later seeing them continue to play or be involved in the sport.
- How has Premier League aided your journey?
The Premier League competition is a vital ingredient to where I have landed today. Experiencing elite performances by our players and umpires, and consistently performing bench duties each week has aided my skillset to perform on Suncorp and International matches. Bench Officials officiate two Premier League games each week, and this gives me the intense training and opportunity to work with the best in the State. This is where I have set goals to better my skills across both scoring and timing. Every game is different and I’ve needed to adjust and learn the different ways to focus and work with others.
- What advice would you give to other bench officials on the pathway?
If you enjoy it, stick with it. Be kind to yourself, know your role, learn from others and share your experience. Set your own goals, listen to your mentors, try new things (they just might work for you) and continue to do the best you can. Take the opportunities that are presented to you. Before you know, you may just get the call up for the next level. And if not, Premier League is the elite competition in the State - that’s an outstanding achievement in itself.
