A big Hello to you all from Jacinda Valentine our new Netball Mainland Relationship Manager.  It is so nice to finally be here, I’m really looking forward to connecting with you individually and collectively and learning all about you, your Centre's and hearing how your seasons have been going.  I thought it would be nice to share a little about myself and my background as an introduction and look forward to connecting further.

My parents both come from Mosgiel; however, I was born in Hamilton as one of the token North Islanders in the whànau, we moved to Greymouth, then moved to Nelson (Stoke to be exact), then moved to Auckland when I was 10 where I grew up.  I then moved to Christchurch 4 weeks before the 2011 earthquakes and haven’t looked back!   

I did a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation and spent my first 10 years working in the Outdoor Sector with Project K in various roles alongside the Graham Dingle Foundation. When I moved to Christchurch, I worked for the Christchurch City Council in their Sport and Recreation Unit and I left there and became a mum of two rambunctious boys now 7, Fletcher and 4 ¾, Cameron.  Over that time, I have been involved with Playcentre in Rolleston and then for the last 1 ½ years I have been working for the Selwyn Sports Trust as their Community Connector and most recently their Community Activity and Event Manager. I started playing netball when I was year 3 at primary school, you were meant to start at year 4 but I was so desperate they let me start early (that was my memory, but I think they must have needed an extra player).  I played netball every year from then on until I graduated high school, over the years I have played for a few different clubs, indoor, outdoor, and also umpired.  Our family activity we like to do is getting out on our bikes and enjoying what NZ has to offer.

I am really looking forward to learning from you all in this role and feel really privileged that I have been successful.   If you see me around, please feel free to come and say Hello and introduce yourself.