PRESIDENT & COACHING CO-ORDINATOR
Peiti Haines joined the Dapto Netball Club as a player in 1990 as a six year old. Peiti has coached Dapto teams since she was 13 and progressed to coaching Illawarra representative teams from the age of 20, including 11s development through to State Championships. Peiti also served on the Dapto Netball Club committee from the age of 18 for a number of years. She has a vast experience working on committees having previously served on the Dapto Netball Club Committee as Registrar, Fundraising Officer, Coaching Coordinator. Peiti re-joined the Committee in 2020 as she saw that there was the opportunity to move what has always been a good club to be an even better club.
Peiti’s goal for the 2020 season is to ensure that the club provides for its members a quality product and service that can set a positive example for other clubs. Peiti aims to make sure that all members feel welcomed and confident that the Club is working in their best interest, in a transparent way, alongside Illawarra to improve the experience of netball.
VICE PRESIDENT & PUBLICITY OFFICER
Stephanie Vinken joined Dapto Netball Club committee in 2023, wanting to promote a healthy and supportive environment to the club, whilst being the loudest and proudest ‘netball mum’ courtside. Stephanie first stepped into the Publicity Officer role and continues to currently occupy the position. With a foundation in marketing, a background rich in netball, and a ‘can-do’ attitude, Stephanie uses these invaluable insights into shaping the challenges and opportunities that our netball community faces, whilst aiding in the visibility of the Club on social platforms.
Stephanie believes that effective communication and information is the heart of any thriving community and is committed to keeping you informed about upcoming events, exciting initiatives and promoting a whole lot of netball love!
Stephanie’s goals for 2024 is to contribute to the continued growth and success of netball within our community, fostering a positive and inclusive environment where every player, coach and supporter feels valued and ensure that netball remains a sport that not only captivates us on the court but also leaves a lasting impact on our lives off the court.
SECRETARY & REGISTRAR
Emma Mortimer has been involved in the Dapto Netball Club since the age of six. Emma started as Dapto Netball Club junior and has since been involved in the club as an assistant coach, coach and umpire including obtaining her National C Umpire Badge and Level 1 Coaching Certificate. She has been an Illawarra Representative since the age of 12, including Stage Age, State Champs, State League and Waratah Cup.
Emma joined the Committee in 2020 as Secretary to help maintain the legacy that her parents built within the Dapto Netball Club. Emma has since taken on a number of roles on the Committee since joining in 2020 including Public Officer, Uniform Officer, Publicity Officer and Registrar.
TREASURER
Karrah Hellmuth returned to the Dapto Netball Club Committee in 2021 as a General Committee member. Having started playing netball at the age of eight, Karrah has always played for the Dapto Netball Club. Karrah has coached for the Club for a number of years across all age groups, with her 10 year old team in 2019 going through undefeated. Along with coaching Karrah has been a valuable umpire for the Club for many years. Karrah brings to the Committee years of experience having previously been a General Committee member and the Club Registrar for three years.
In 2019 Karrah receive the Debbie Kennedy Appreciation Award and was awarded a Long Service Award in 2020 for 15 years of service to the Club. Karrah has also previously been award Club Person of the Year.
In 2022 Karrah joined the Executive Committee in the role as Treasurer and is continuing in this role for the 2024 season.
PUBLIC OFFICER
Heather Cunningham started with the Dapto Netball Club as a six year old when the club trained at Hayes Park Primary School or Kundle Street courts. After her junior years Heather returned to playing for the Dapto Netball Club in 2003. Heather has a love of coaching the “babies” of the club in NetSetGo, seeing young players develop their skills in their first years of netball.
Heather has been a part of the Committee for the past nine years as Public Officer, Minute Secretary, General Committee and stepping into the role as Vice President. She has also completed her member protection training. Heather is committed to help with the growth and development of netball in Dapto and the broader Illawarra. Heather’s goal for the 2024 season is to encourage more boys to join the sport and to grow and improve the NetSetSkills program.
In 2023 Heather was one of the first Club members to be awarded the Dapto Netball Club Merit Award for her distinguished and lengthy service with a positive contribution to the betterment of the Club.
UMPIRES CO-ORDINATOR
Nikita Hellmuth joined the Dapto Netball Club as a junior player at 6 years of age in 1994. She coached teams while still at school, and played netball for many years but umpiring was always what she loved doing. Nikita begun umpiring as a 12 year old and gained her National C Badge while in high school.
As a 16 year old Nikita won the Wilma Ford Trophy for Dapto Netball Club Person of the Year, before pursuing her university studies from 2006 in Canberra- where she studied Sports Management as one of her degrees. Upon returning to the Illawarra, Niktia has gone onto gain her National B in 2015 and in 2019 umpired the Premier League Grand Final while 15 weeks pregnant. She returned to the court in 2020, and has continued to perform as an umpire in the IDNA Senior Premier League competition, as well as umpires both Cadet and Intermediate teams for the Club.
Nikita has a passion for grassroots development and participation in the sporting industry, in both her career and personal life. Without umpires, Netball wouldn’t be the same, so she looks forward to sharing her love of umpiring with new and existing umpires within Dapto Netball Club. She will look to continue the training and mentor programs that have previously been successful within the Club, as well as support the IDNA training and development programs for umpires including, JUMP, IUP and SUP. Nikita looks forward to seeing our umpires grow in their knowledge and confidence throughout the year and progress through the local and National badges.
EQUIPMENT OFFICER
Allan Johnson returned to the Dapto Netball Club Committee in 2020 as Minute Secretary after having a break in 2019. Allan first joined the Dapto Netball Club in the 1980s and is one of the Club’s Life Members. He has previously held many roles on the Committee including Equipment Officer, Secretary and the General Committee. He has coached at club and representative level since 1971 and continues to assist the Club with coaching when needed. In 2020, Allan assisted with updating the Dapto Netball Club Regulations and Constitution. Allan also had a pivotal role in developing Illawarra’s Regulations and Constitution and has valuable knowledge on past and present processes of the Club. Allan joined the Committee in 2020 to help pass on this knowledge to younger members of the Committee.
In 2021, Allan also took on the role of Equipment Officer. Allan worked with the Committee in 2021 to ensure that the Club had the adequate equipment to coach the both the basic skills of netball through to our more elite players. Allan’s biggest achievement as Equipment Officer in 2021 was the organisation of the Club’s storage container including the installation of shelving so that equipment was easily accessible and the Club trailer could be stored securely.
Allan returns to the role of Equipment Officer in 2024 where he will continue to work with coaches and the Committee to ensure the Club has all the adequate tools and equipment to provide the best opportunities to our players to grow and develop as netballers whilst also having some fun along the way.
FUNDRAISING OFFICER
Vacant.
UNIFORM OFFICER
Vacant.
GENERAL COMMITTEE
Katherine Baines
Kath started her netball career at the age of 5 when she first joined the Dapto Netball Club as a player (40 years ago). Kath stepped back from netball to have her family and concentrate on being a mum. However, when her girls started playing netball she was straight back into it. Kath started her coaching as an Assistant Coach learning from one of our more experienced coaches, before taking her own team in 2021. Kath now enjoys coaching with her daughters.
In 2022 Kath was awarded the Rookie Coach of the Year award for the 2021/2022 season.
Wanting to be more involved with the Club, Kath joined the Club’s General Committee in 2023 and is once again on the General Committee in 2024.
Bill Sargeson
Bill first joined the Dapto Netball Club approximately 18 years ago firstly as a grandparent bringing a player to the Club and has enjoyed being involved in the netball scene ever since.. Bill was then sked to coach and “stand in” as the Equipment Officer, a position he continued to hold up until 2019. Bill has also held a number of other positions on the Dapto Netball Club Committee including Publicity Officer, Vice President and President.
Bill Sargeson first joined the Dapto Netball Club approximately 16 years ago firstly as a grandparent bringing a player to the Club and has enjoyed being involved in the netball scene ever since.. Bill was then sked to coach and “stand in” as the Equipment Officer, a position he continued to hold up until 2019. Bill has also held a number of other positions on the Dapto Netball Club Committee including Publicity Officer, Vice President and President.
In 2023 Bill was one of the first Club members to be awarded the Dapto Netball Club Merit Award for his distinguished and lengthy service with a positive contribution to the betterment of the Club.
Patricia Moore
Amy Williamson
Emma Draper