Elaine Higgs has been a valued volunteer since the late 1970s. 

Elaine, please tell us how you first got involved, when and why? 

I joined Burnside Netball club out of school (back in 1977) as I had always played netball including for Papanui High School.  I was a GS back then, but moved to defence in 1980 as I was planning on missing half the netball season due to going overseas (holiday, not OE).

I umpired and coached.  Ended up on the committee, offering help as Treasurer and a work friend also became Secretary.  In time I became Secretary and eventually President at Burnside.  As a Club Representative, I ended up at CNC ‘committee’ meetings, then under the charge of Marie Erickson.  I stopped being so involved with the birth of my daughter in 1990, but well remember taking her along on one of her first trips outside the home to a netball event.  I can’t recall if it was the opening of the new centre court or the pavilion.  I became involved in Technical Netball Club when my daughter started playing for them in her latter high school years, and they asked for committee members.  Once again eventually ended up Treasurer and currently the President.

Please tell us a little bit about the roles you have had.

• 1977 – 1990: Burnside Netball Club – Treasurer, Secretary and President also umpire and coach
• 1980s – 1990: Christchurch Netball committee
• 2007 – now: Technical Netball – Treasurer and now President since
• 2015 – now: Christchurch Netball competitions committee

What is your current role and how long have you been doing that for?

Technical Netball – Treasurer and now President since 2007

CNC competitions committee since 2015

Tell us about your most memorable moment.

On the 80s with Christchurch Netball - instrumental in changing the draw, so that games were played on the stated day, and if wet they were ‘postponed’ to another date later in the season if required.  Before that, the draw was put out for the season, and if it was wet, the games were played the next week.  This made it extremely difficult to make Saturday plans, if there was a wet day.  Not that Lyn Miles was ever keen to see a wet day occur. 

2010 – we had set up a website and were able to communicate with our club members when the Sep earthquake happened the day before our Prize Giving.

What is the best thing/reason to volunteer?

I just love netball and helping people, particularly on the organising side of things, and I enjoy the friendships you make from being on committees, sharing your passion.

[Elaine Higgs, right, pictured with Katrina Williams and Sharon French]