Names the ilk of Raelee Thompson, Steele Sidebottom, Jarrod Lyle and Aiden Blizzard highlight the esteemed group set to enter the hall of fame ranks for 2021, as the community takes the chance to reflect on its rich sporting history.
While this round of inductees has been decided, the committee is always on the lookout for new nominations, with a few district staples already being floated.
Five-time Victorian Country tennis champion Norma Nethersole headlines the list of those recently nominated for the hall of fame, with Wayne Hanslow putting up the 92-year-old’s name due to her extensive list of sporting achievements.
An icon of the tennis scene, Nethersole remains as humble as ever with even the thought of being included in such rich sporting company something she cannot fathom.
“It is extraordinary and amazing to be nominated; when I saw it come through, I honestly thought `what am I doing there?’ I felt very humbled and part of me thinks I might not be worth it,” Nethersole said.
“If I was to end up being inducted, I would be very proud and thrilled to join all the great names in there, but it is something I never really thought about, I just loved playing tennis.”
Beginning her tennis journey in the 1940s, Nethersole recalls how she fell in love with the game and how much it has changed across the years.
“I began playing tennis when I was 10 years old and immediately fell in love with the game,” she said.
“Starting up back in the 1940s it was very difficult at the beginning, being during the war and things, getting tennis shoes was especially hard at that time and when you did get a pair you had to wear them to death.
“Everything with rubber, leather, or anything like that in it was needed for the war — so it was an interesting time to start playing the game.”
Nethersole overcame those early hurdles though and really took to the game; she quickly climbed the ranks and became involved in representative teams from an early age.
Being involved in esteemed events such as Country Week, she reflects on some of the highlights of her playing days.
“I was selected in the Wilson Cup team, which was an interstate team for girls, so I got into that which was a big honour and we played in the Australian Championships in Adelaide, which was my first trip out of state,” she said.
“We played against other teams from around the country. We managed to win once while I was a playing, which was a big thrill, and made some fantastic memories just playing together as a team; they are memories I really do cherish.
“After that tournament I was able to become a senior and play for Victoria. By that time I was working as a teacher, so I had to get leave and go play against all the other states around Australia, which was exciting.
“I certainly did get to see a lot of the country over my time playing tennis, and made a lot of fantastic friends along the way.”
A particular highlight that stands out in Nethersole’s tennis journey is playing tournaments in Shepparton, as she recalls how welcoming the community was of both her and the sport.
“We would come up and play in the Easter tournament up here in Shepparton and very much came to like the place. It was always tremendous fun, and I had a lot of success,” she said.
“We got to know the people, and the weather was always beautiful; I definitely fell in love with the place, and I am very privileged to have got to play here.”
Looking back on her career with great modesty, when asked about the prospect of becoming a hall of fame member, Nethersole gave her typically humble response.
“I honestly don’t know how I’d be (if I was inducted into the hall of fame), being around so many other local legends it would obviously be a massive honour and a title that would certainly take some getting used to,” she said.
Greater Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame nominations are open year-round, with the cut-off for the next round of inductees to be decided closer to the ceremony date.
