The sport of Men’s Netball has lost a true champion. We were saddened by the news that Sheila Kitchingham, who was instrumental in the development of the MNNSW Junior Program in the early to late 1990’s, and who coached the NSW Men’s Under 21 team from 1990 – 1997 passed away over the week-end.
Former MNNSW Representative Player Paul Stilgoe (pictured below – front row second from the right) commented “Shelia was a great supporter of Mens netball. As a coach she was second to none. She had plenty of time for us in the u21’s. A great sense of humour probably helped there. A great loss to the netball community” Sheila’s was involved with MNNSW for over a decade.
Sheila coached the MNNSW Under 23s to the finals in 1997, was Vice President from 1993 to 1996 and Coaching Coordinator in 1997 and 1998. She went on to Manage teams in 1999 and 2000.
President, Clare McCabe who also had the pleasure of working with Sheila said “Sheila believed in and created teams that embraced a high standard of behaviour, always setting an example of good sportsmanship and losing with grace. Sheila was a tough coach with a great sense of humour who was able to get the best out of her athletes. Sheila continued to support Men playing this great sport long after she stopped coaching. We have indeed lost a real stalwart of our sport”.
Sheila will be remembered for all her roles within MNNSW – as a Coach, Manager, Administrator and Supporter, most recently always on the sideline while her granddaughter played in the Mixed Division. We are grateful for her service, commitment and dedication and our thoughts are with her family at this time.
