The City of Stonnington has recognised the achievements of one of Malvern Tigers most tireless workers in its Citizen of the Year 2009 Awards. Anne Fisher, coach and coordinator of the junior girls program, has won this year’s award in the category of Sport. When the Mayor of Stonnington contacted her to pass on the news it was the first time Anne knew she had been nominated and she thought it was a prank call.

 

On reflection she says she is quite thrilled to be honoured in this way and in typical Anne fashion she stressed that this recognition was the result of a team effort that involved numerous other hard-working club members.

Anne was presented with her award at a ceremony at Malvern Town Hall on 20 August

 

 

 

 

When a seven-year-old girl thinks she would like to try basketball as a sporting endeavour but no-one in the area offers tuition at that age, what does she do? In the case of Kate McKimmie she turned to her mother, Anne Fisher, for help. It was 2002 when Anne assembled a small group of Kate’s grade 2 class mates from Malvern Primary School, hired the Penpraze Park basketball court on Saturday mornings and put together a beginner’s basketball clinic for the enthusiastic youngsters.

 

A year later when she felt they were ready to play games against other teams, Anne approached the Waverley Basketball Association and a junior girls’ competition comprising four Malvern Tigers teams was created. From that humble beginning there are now 45 junior girls’ teams representing 11 different clubs playing each Saturday morning.

 

Anne has formal Level 1 and 2 basketball coaching qualifications and has completed Level 1 and 2 St John’s Ambulance first aid course. She organised and coordinates the two-hour training sessions for the 23 Malvern Tigers junior girls’ teams each Friday afternoon/evening, sessions that are popular because the training comprises both learning and fun elements.

 

Not content with such a busy schedule Anne is also involved in coaching and managing Waverley Falcons girls’ teams. She has played Representative Level Basketball for Sandringham, Diamond Valley, Werribee and Waverley and she played in the World Masters Games in 2004. Anne regularly competes in Over 35 basketball tournaments and plays every week for the Jetz Basketball Club.

 

The WBA junior girls’ basketball competition and the Malvern Tigers community owe a debt of gratitude to Anne for her vision and tireless voluntary work. She is an inspiration to all who come in contact with her.