Her main aim was to get her daughters out of the house during the weekends, hence Margaret Simon founded the Periwinkle Netball Club.
Formed in 2017 and affiliated with the Port Moresby Netball Association the same year, what started off as a family get together reached new heights when the family realised their true potential in the code.
The Periwinkle Netball Club comprises of mothers and daughters, their sisters and sister in-laws residing in the Nation’s Capital.
From Babaka, in Central Province, Margaret Simon said her initial goal was to change her daughters’ lifestyles by encouraging them to be physically fit, socialize with other netballers as well as bond with family members.
While the girls and women take to the courts, the male family members are tasked with the clubs administration.
“Most of the positions in the club are held by my son in-laws,” said Simon. “One of the son in-laws is an assistant coach – I’m actually the coach of the club. And my other son in-law is the club manager. So it’s just all family-oriented and they’re supportive of everything the girls do. It’s inclusive, we have the smallest to the biggest, all supporting netball.”
As a rookie in 2017 without a sponsor, the club made it through to the major semifinals in the 7th Division, where it took home the 3rd prize with heads held high.
In the last season in 2018, the club had an impressive run straight to the grand final, but lost the match in what was labeled as a memorable event.
This year, the Periwinkle club looks forward to a good finish, thanks to the sponsorship of Haren Travel Agency Ltd.
“All I can ask for is support from all family members,” stated Simon. “Especially fathers of young girls who are playing netball, and even husbands to support their wives in this code of netball because it is just family-oriented.”
(Margaret Simon)