Departing president Tracey Tomlinson confident NNA committee is in safe hands

A new president was elected when Narrabri Netball Association hosted their annual general meeting late last month on Saturday, August 26, at the Bev Burrows Courts, with Wee Waa’s Kerry Crutcher stepping into the role following a superb 2023 campaign as the association’s rep coordinator.

She replaces life member Tracey Tomlinson following her decision to step down from the role, having been one of driving forces behind netball in Narrabri for about 30 years.

Tomlinson told The Courier that the time was right after holding various positions on the committee during five different decades, with Crutcher the ideal person to take over the role.

“I’m extremely happy. Kerry is the reason I’m giving it up now because I know that things will run really well now for at least next year and the year after,” Tomlinson said.

“She’s super organised, she’s very date-driven, and she’s always all over what needs to be done.”

“She did an amazing job (as the rep coordinator) and she went above and beyond. Our committee were three executive members short this year, so Kerry and I held our own jobs and did the other three between us.

“Kerry has been amazing all year, from helping getting sponsors to the rep presentation dinner we had, which was all Kerry.”

Crutcher has been part of the NNA committee for three seasons. She has also been a successful representative team coach, most recently this year when her under-17s finished seventh on a 20-team division four ladder at Netball NSW’s 2023 Senior State Titles event in Newcastle.

Tomlinson said she was also quite confident with the appointments of the other committee members and was thrilled to see that the committee had grown by two members.

The new committee is as follows:

President – Kerry Crutcher, vice-president – Linda Watson, treasurer – Lorna Gleeson, secretary – Nikki Connole, representative coordinator – Lisa Currey, registrar – Kelly Herden, coaching convenor – Hannah Hall, umpires convenor – Bern Melton, 9/10-years development coach – Hannah Hall, 11/12-years development coach – Lorna Gleeson.

Tomlinson was joined by fellow life members Fiona McLachlan and Kate Bakhuis in stepping down this year.

Bakhuis was named a life member at last month’s annual general meeting, a well-deserved accolade for many years of dedication and commitment to the association.

Bakhuis and McLachlan will both be significant losses for the local netball association, but the new committee is ready to step up and create a new legacy.

While the new committee have now officially begun their new roles, the previous committee will continue to help out until Saturday’s grand final day, as is tradition in Narrabri.