PRESIDENTS REPORT 2016
I would like to take this opportunity to inform the members of the association that I have decided step away from the HBNA Management Committee, to pursue personal goals, and to spend more time with my family.
Having been a member of the Association for 8 years now with 2 years as a delegate, the next 2 as the HBNA Coaching Officer and the last 4 years as HBNA President I have had the great opportunity to meet many wonderful people, that have not only supported me but worked alongside me, volunteering uncountable hours of their life and sacrificing valuable time with their loved ones and families, and for that I will be forever grateful.

I want to thank the Life Members for electing me as the 2016 Association Person of the year. I am honoured to have received this for the second time in my role on the HBNA Management, with the last time being in 2013, which is the last time this award was presented. It has been through my many years on the committee that I have truly attained a whole new level of respect for anyone that volunteers their time to carry out this role. I now understand that sadly it is only our predecessors that understand the level of commitment and sacrifice that is given by each and every member of our Committee who work tirelessly with only one goal in sight, and that is to serve those who elected us to the best of our ability. I would like to also thank the Club Presidents of past and present that have given both myself and our committee unwavering support in our roles and shown empathy and consideration and support whenever difficult situations arose.

Special thanks and gratitude goes to my fellow 2016 Management team members Renee Searle (Vice President), Belinda Walkley (Secretary), Jacky Miller (Records Officer), Kate McCarthy (Coaching Officer), Di Edwards (Umpiring Officer), and Harley Micallef (Treasurer) that have worked tirelessly giving up their own time representing the Association, all of whom I am proud to call my dearest friends, I will cherish your friendships forever, as you all hold a very special place in my heart. And to Lisa Beaven (Rep Co-ordinator) and Chris Hobbs and Tracey Tester (Net Set Go) for all your time and contribution to the association. On a personal level I would like to also thank my dear friend and confidant Sue Chardon, Joanne Kelly, Sue Peterson, Michelle Delaney-Ozanne, Sean Keller, Lisa Love, Helen Gold, Angela Heazlewood, Jo Peterson, Sandra Walker, Jodie Cain, Deb Lehworthy, Deb Smith, Sonia Smith, and Lisa O’Keefe for their kindness and support over the years.

Last but not least I would like to thank Megan Walker (Netball Queensland) for all of her support not only to myself with assisting me with players for my Intermediate Accreditation, but for her hours of assistance offered to our Association over the 2016 season, and finally to Rob Searle (Wide Bay President) for his selfless assistance with grant applications, and for the amazing initiatives he brought to our region over the past 2 years i.e. Dazzle a Diamond, Baby Cats, Coaching Grants and the Club Challenge Day.

2016 was highlighted by the following:
• LEIGH GIBBS DEVELOPMENT CLINIC FOR COACHES AND SELECTORS – Independent selectors were used for junior selections to ensure complete independence in the selection process
• VICKY WILSON CLINIC – 2 part clinic with ½ day being offered exclusively to the Rep Junior Shooters and their respective coaches and a further ½ day clinic open to all coaches.
• RECORD NUMBERS FOR REGISTRATIONS AND REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS
• RECEIPT OF $25 000 LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT to upgrade courts for 2017.
• WINNER OF GRASS ROOTS EQUIPMENT GRANT – Spartan Equipment bags, Laura Geitz portable goal post for school education, carnivals and warm up, Spartan Balls, Timers etc.
• TRIAL RUN FOR JUNIOR GRADING A new grading procedure was trailed this year to ensure a fair and equitable system of determining the appropriate division for Net Set Go aged children
• INTRODUCTION OF NEW INF RULES The new Rules were rolled out at the beginning of the season requiring many rules discussions and reviews of the rules to officiating the game
• COMPLETION OF ACCOUNTING SYSTEM CHANGE integrating our HBNA and Rep Accounts into the one online system which is now accessible by the Rep and HBNA Treasurer
• INTRODUCTION OF LOAD AND GO CARDS A rep and general card were opened to allow for easier purchasing of canteen stock and supplies and representative essentials when away at carnivals
• ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY the introduction steps were rolled out to clubs, it is predicted this will be completely finalised for the 2017 season
• MYNETBALL ENROLLMENT SYSTEM was used to enrol to attend rep trials, and to register online for HBNA run courses
• NEW HBNA EMAILS CREATED FOR ALL ROLES to allow for continued control of correspondence with all passwords secured by the secretary
• NQ INTRODUCTION TO NEW COMPLAINTS HANDLING PROCESS which needs to be discussed for adoption by HBNA.
• NEW HBNA APP To enhance direct communication with HBNA Members.
NQ Initiatives for 2017 are as follows:
• PREMIER LEAGUE Introduction of a new competition for U16, U18, Open Women and Men to be run by a Committee with Associations making up new Zones.
• FAST 5 LICENCES offered to Associations. NQ has sent out modelling for estimate costs that will differ for Association to Association
Challenges for 2017 are as follows:
• STATE CARNIVALS The Suzuki State Age Championship is a five (5) day event, 12- 15 years (2 teams per Age division). This mammoth change will make it very difficult to find personnel willing to forgo 1 Week of their annual leave to attend the carnivals
• MSQNL Bundaberg were awarded the license to run the Thundercats team, taking the control away from the region.
• REGIONAL ACADEMY The academy program has been dropped by NQ to be replaced by a new system were by NQ staff will host a training weekend in either zones or Regions (yet to be confirmed) 2-3 times a year and players will be nominated to attend by Associations, NQ TID selectors and Wide Bay Committee.
• SPORTS PRECINCT the future of our sport in regards to an alternative venue is again unknown with the current council change and recent setbacks. HBNA will need to appoint an immediate replacement for these negotiations and meetings as the discussion will be ongoing well into the 2017 season.
Congratulations to
• HBNA Senior Player of the Year: Cheyenne Dredge
• HBNA Junior Player of the Year: Hannah Cain
• HBNA Volunteer of the Year: Shane Beaven
• HBNA Association Person of the Year: Soraya Dredge
• NATIONAL C Badge: Harley Micallef

Finally I would like to offer my support for the incoming HBNA 2017 Management Committee and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

Soraya Dredge
Hervey Bay Netball Association – | | President