Spotlight a Volunteer: Sharon Spinner’s Journey in Community Sports

Published on 28 October 2024

Sharon Spinner, affectionately known as ‘Shazza,’ is a well-known figure in the Perth basketball scene and has been a resident of the Town of Cambridge for the past 24 years. She was nominated for the Spotlight on a Volunteer Award by community members who admired her spirit and dedication to supporting local sports.

Shazza has been involved in community sports since the early 2000s, dedicating much of her volunteer efforts to basketball. Her roles as a referee, coach, competition coordinator, and mentor have made a lasting impact, demonstrating how one person's unwavering commitment and passion can influence a community.

Her refereeing career spanned 40 years, from 1983 to 2023, which highlights her love for the sport and dedication to community service. If you visited Bendat Stadium or the old Perry Lakes Stadium during that time, you likely saw Shazza in action. Whether supporting junior referees, coaching teams, or supervising games, her presence became synonymous with Saturday and Sunday morning community basketball.

Sharon’s journey into community sports began as a young basketball player in New Zealand. She fondly remembers her coach, Scotty, whom she describes as the “bestest person ever!”. To play under Scotty, Sharon was required to coach a team of younger players and assist with refereeing other games. These were the 3 codes of sport for Scotty and Sharon, coaching, refereeing and playing. This approach aimed to develop well-rounded players who understood the rules and respected the sport while giving back to the community.

Inspired by this model, Sharon continued her involvement in basketball as both a coach and referee. Throughout her journey, she has encouraged many others to embrace coaching or refereeing, helping them give back to the game they love while developing their character, confidence, and capacity.

Later in life, Sharon found herself living in Perth and raising a young family. As a stay-at-home mum with children active in school sports, she wanted to be more involved in their activities. She began coaching basketball at Cottesloe PCYC to engage more deeply with her family and the community.

Initially motivated by a desire to be present and supportive of her family. Sharon’s passion for community service grew over time. She realised this stemmed from wanting to feel needed and valued. Her support became essential to the Police Sergeant at PCYC and the committee. Sharon speaks highly of Sergeant Ron, saying, “He was the most gorgeous person ever, and talk about community-focused!” His encouragement inspired her further involvement in PCYC’s initiatives.

Sharon volunteered across multiple committee positions, supporting PCYC’s involvement in events like the Perth Royal Show and coaching several junior basketball teams. She describes this time as “the best experience,” noting that her involvement with PCYC fostered a thriving community committed to giving back.

Throughout Sharon’s involvement, she witnessed steady growth in the PCYC basketball program each year. She played a key role in transforming the program from a single team into what is now the Claremont-Cottesloe Basketball Club.

Sharon’s volunteering also extended internationally when she was invited to the 2000 Sydney Olympics as a media volunteer and scoretable official at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. “The Paras’ were my dream; I loved the games. The way the wheelchair basketball was played was just amazing” she says, reflecting on her experience.

Through her role as a scoretable official, Sharon developed a deep fondness for wheelchair basketball, which she shared with the junior players she coached by taking them to watch wheelchair basketball and teaching them about the variations in the game. This inspired a strong admiration for inclusive sports among her players. Sharon continues to support wheelchair basketball by working as a scoretable official whenever possible.

One of Sharon’s proudest moments came in 2018 when she was awarded life membership of both the Perry Lakes Hawks Basketball Association and the Perry Lakes Basketball Referee Association in recognition of her longstanding service and commitment to the organisation.

Her efforts at the club are evident in the growth and development of many junior referees she mentored, with several advancing to prominent careers in the State Basketball League (now NBL1), Women’s National Basketball League, and the National Basketball League.

Sharon finds a lot of joy in seeing the children she once coached and refereed now raising families and remaining involved in basketball. This reflects the generational impact of her work and the community she fostered, as well as the meaningful friendships and connections she continues to maintain.

Sharon balances family, umpiring, and coaching with unwavering commitment. She emphasises the importance of saying “yes” and encourages potential volunteers to contribute whenever possible, as even small acts can lead to significant positive change.

Looking ahead, Sharon aims to stay connected with emerging referees and volunteers, sharing valuable lessons and inspiring them to embrace their responsibilities. She hopes to instil in others the same passion for the sport, ensuring her legacy and values continue with the next generation.

Volunteering has profoundly influenced Sharon’s personal growth, allowing her to forge many meaningful friendships and relationships. If you’re at Bendat Basketball Centre on a Monday or Wednesday evening or at a Western Australia Basketball League (WABL) game on a Sunday, be sure to thank Sharon for her dedication and hard work in the community.

If you know someone like Sharon, whose dedication makes a lasting impact in our community, consider nominating them for the next Spotlight on a Volunteer Award. Let’s continue to celebrate the inspiring work of those who give back to our community!