Over 75 years, St Nicholas Netball Club has reinforced the role sport plays as a safe space for all, supporting connection, positive mental health and wellbeing.

St Nicholas Netball Club President Jo Utting reflects on the meaning of the St Nicholas legacy, counting down to 75th year Jubilee celebrations on 1 and 2 August 2025.

During its time as a club, St Nicholas has amassed a total of 22 New Zealand players, with 11 women and 11 men wearing the Silver Fern.

 “The club was started by a group of teenagers who were Girl Guides based at St Nicholas Church in Barrington St, back in 1950. They saw netball - basketball as it was known back then - was happening down at Hagley on the grass courts, and decided they wanted to put a team in.

“They were quite inspiring young girls.”

One member of the group was Ethna Rouse, nee Woods. Ethna, 13 at that time, was Jo’s mum.

Jo says the girls were connected through Girl Guides and the church, but these girls did a lot together socially, so netball became an extension of that.

The club today is a testament to the legacy of three strong friends from the 1950s: Ethna, Janice Fraser and Rhondda Moffit. They were great friends, all with their own strengths, but they were certainly trailblazers.  Along with being players, coaches, managers, umpires, club presidents and administrators, they have done it all. Since this initial trio, there has been a succession of people who have replicated these three amazing ladies.

“They inspired loyalty.”

Rhondda and Ethna were Canterbury Netball and Christchurch Netball Umpiring Life Members, who both held New Zealand Umpiring Badges. Rhondda was also a president of Canterbury Netball, while Ethna coached the Canterbury Country Senior team, and Jan was “always managing” in the background.

At the new Netball Sports Centre, a changing room is currently named in Rhondda’s honour.

This sense of St Nicholas loyalty and pride withstood the challenge of a natural disaster that transformed the city’s sporting landscape, along with the pandemic years.

“More face-to-face interaction is good for all. Playing sport and being amongst peers is proven to be good for mental health and stress. Part of what we’re doing as a club is finding places people can connect with each other. Netball gives them this opportunity.”

“St Nicholas Netball Club will always be a club for all, from Year 3 to Premier 1, allowing the young and not so young to get one-on-one with people who love netball,” Jo reflects. “And as far as wellbeing goes, sport and netball have still got an important part to play.”

Celebrating 75 years, it seems, is about more than counting the years, but the connections - and celebrating these.  It’s also a great opportunity to look to the future, she adds.

Reach out to join in the celebrations and/or share memorabilia.

E-mail - info@stnicholasnetball.co.nz

Please RSVP to the St Nicholas 75th Jubilee celebrations - https://forms.gle/ktFV8egFhhkZUGe48

Article added: Monday 09 June 2025