The valuable contribution South West Academy of Sport netball head coach Dale Nielsen has made to the ECU Souwest Jets has been officially recognised with a lifetime membership.

The Brunswick Junction resident was presented with the honour at a recent awards night the club held at Vat2.

It was a well-deserved accolade for the club stalwart who has been associated with the Jets on and off since it formed in 1989, starting off as a player before becoming a coach.

Most recently, Nielsen has been involved with the netball team as the ECU Souwest Jets development manager and mentor.

“I enjoy coaching the athletes and I love to see them develop not only as netballers but as strong confident women,” Nielsen said.

“So, that’s my passion – I just like to see them develop their skills and game knowledge as well as grow in confidence and self-esteem, have fun, and build friendships and relationships that last a lifetime.”

Highlights for Nielsen are winning two junior Souwest Jets premierships, as well as providing opportunities such as trips to New Zealand and Thailand, and pre and post season camps.

Watching the success of South West athletes and developing long and lasting friendships with coaches and players were also standouts.

“There’s always that desire to be involved and win another,” Nielsen said.

“I just love it. ECU Souwest Jets is a one ‘country’ family club who are proud of maintaining a regional flavour, but who are innovative in creating competitive teams to participate in the WANL. Since we became incorporated in 2019, we have demonstrated competence and cohesiveness in order to support our family in the South West and our Perth based Open team”.

The ECU Souwest Jets is the South West team which competes in the Gold Industry Group West Australian Netball League.