presentation night in September 2016. Larnie, second from left is pictured at the
presentation with the club’s co-presidents at the time Lisa Travis and Nikki Spinks (far left and far right) and fellow umpire Sherrin Wharton. ▪ File photo
The Cobar Senior Netball Association dedicated Saturday’s round of games to one of their own, Larnie Keen, who passed away last Thursday after a five year battle with Melanoma.
Cobar Netball Association president Bethany Thomas said it had been a heart-breaking week for Cobar and the club with Larnie’s passing.
“Larnie was a huge part of the heart and soul of our association, her passion for netball and helping others was evident in the dedication to the committee and her umpiring role.
“Larnie was a mentor to many of us and an inspiration for all,” Ms Thomas said before Saturday’s games kicked off.
She said in addition to umpiring games, Larnie would be at every committee meeting, giving positive feedback and volunteering to help with anything she could.
Larnie continued to umpire senior games for as long as physically possible, and was still helping out with coaching juniors up until last season.
In 2016, Larnie’s dedication to the sport was recognised with Life Membership of the Cobar Netball Association.
Immediate past netball club president Haylee Prince also spoke at the dedication.
“Larnie started her netball journey as a young girl. Her position on court was a Shooter, although most of us will remember her more for her position off the court and behind the whistle,” Mrs Prince said.
“She supported not only Cobar Netball Association but the wider Cobar sporting community, whether it be with travelling representative teams, various indoor sporting competitions or school level sport.
“Larnie volunteered her time and helped in every facet of Cobar Netball, from being a committee member to coaching and umpiring, to washing playing bibs and manning the canteen and, most recently, helping run the junior NetSetGo program.
“When Cobar Netball started back up in 2014 she was a strong supporter, helping out whenever and whenever she could.”
Mrs Prince said Larnie’s Life Membership honour was a true testament to her dedication over many years.
“She accepted it in true Larnie style, never believing she deserved it.
“Her humbleness, generosity and commitment is what made her Larnie. She was always up for a laugh and her sense of humour was infectious.
“Larnie was the epitome of community spirit and she will be sadly missed,” Mrs Prince
said.
In Saturday’s games Divas won 60-27 over Real Steel with both sides well served by their shooters Lisa Travis (Divas) and Amazon Gladwin (Real Steel).
Sharpe Shooters outplayed Gumnuts to win their match 43-20 with Sharpe Shooters’ mid court player Shannon Eves and Gumnuts’ Shooter Katherine Dennis the stand-outs in the game.
Pumpettes beat Mid Strength Merinos 79-7 with Molly Carter Pumpettes’ best player while Naomi Ijnzen was a stand-out for the Mid Strength Merinos.
Hot Shots finished as 10 point winners over JKM, 42-32, with both sides well served by their shooters Cairo Haronga (Hot Shots) and Neve Carter (JKM).
