Deadly Vibe Issue 88 June, 2004
Sharon Finnan has had a long and successful career in netball. Playing first for her state and then her country, she was part of the Australian under-21 team that won the World Cup. She was then selected for the Australian team that won the World Championships in both 1991 and 1999, and she played for the Australian squad in 1994 and 2000.
For the past seven years, Sharon has worked as national netball development manager for National Aboriginal Sports Corporation Australia. Before this, she worked at the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation in a variety of high-profile roles.
“Since the national netball development program began, we’ve seen a lot more Indigenous girls getting out there and registering with teams, and some of them have been selected for representative and elite teams,” says Sharon. “It’s really improved these girls’ confidence levels. For me, that’s the best thing we can offer.”
Sharon was awarded the Medal of the Order Of Australia (OAM) for services to sport in 1992. In 1995, she was inducted into the Randwick City Council Hall of Fame.
“My career highlight as a netballer would have to be getting back into the team after eight years of missing out on selection,” she says. “I felt that it was especially important, since I was the only Indigenous player at the time. I felt I needed to represent Indigenous women everywhere.
“Those years between 1991 and 1999 were a constant struggle, but I had faith and I didn’t give up. Being selected again was probably my greatest achievement.
” I think if you really enjoy doing something, you should work hard to get involved.”
(story date1/6/2004 end.)
Netballer Sharon Finnan has many sporting achievements, including being part of Australia’s world title-winning netball team in 1991.
Currently the Netball Australia’s national development manager, she previously worked at the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation in a variety of high-profile roles.
Sharon was awarded the Medal of the Order Of Australia (OAM) for services to sport in 1991, and in 1995 was inducted into the Randwick City Council Hall of Fame.
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