Salute to Nelson Bay Netball Association coaching stalwart Sue Holloway Port Stephens Sport Property/Sports/Opinion - popup ad Sport by News Of The Area - Modern Media - December 12, 2023 Flashback to 1993 with Sue Holloway as coach of the Nelson Bay Netball Association Under 14 representative team that competed at the State Junior titles. Also pictured are Tracey Long, Anouska Linz, Melanie Hanlon, Susan Eggert, Amanda Brown, Melinda Edmunds, Melanie Trepka, Tammie Boone, Emma Cooper and Jo-Anne Boyd. MENTORING youngsters comes naturally for local school teacher and netball enthusiast Sue Holloway. Over the past four decades the respected educator has devoted hours into netball development with both the Sutherland Shire and Nelson Bay Netball Associations and has cherished every moment. Sue’s passion for coaching and nurturing junior players was recognised this year when bestowed with Life Membership of the Nelson Bay Netball Association. It was a deserved honour for the established mentor who devoted 27 years to the NBNA as a player, Representative Convenor and inspiring coach. Throughout her netball adventure, Sue always was a positive influence for the hundreds of junior netballers that prospered under her tutelage. “Teaching those young ladies the finer points of netball and watching them develop skills and represent the region over the years gave me immense satisfaction,” a nostalgic Sue told News Of The Area. “I always encouraged the team concept and was proud of the commitment shown by the girls and their willingness to learn,” she revealed. Sue has made life-long friendships with many of the netballers she has coached and has watched several blossom in other sports as well. “I have fond memories of my days with the NBNA and the wonderful rapport I shared with the players, supporters and officials,” Sue quipped. “There are many pioneers in the Association’s proud 40 year history that paved the way for its successful present day model,” she exclaimed. “Over the years our mantra has been to enjoy the game as a team, develop skills, build valuable friendships and create golden memories,” Sue stated. A highlight for Sue was playing A Grade netball against her talented daughter Abby. “That was a nice experience after watching Abby come through the Nelson Bay junior pathways as a player and eventually become a national badged umpire,” she reflected. Today Abby Holloway is Head of the Netball Umpires Coaching program at the Central Coast Academy of Sport. “Like many others, Abby continues to give back to the sport of netball through her passion for umpiring which makes me a proud mum indeed,” Sue added. By Chris KARAS Sue Holloway in her coaching days at Nelson Bay Netball Association with daughter Abby Holloway, now Head of the Netball Umpires Coaching program at Central Coast Academy of Sport.
