Hard work, determination and positivity drives 17-year-old Lauren Thomas to continue improving her netball while also building her leadership skills.
Thomas plays for South Canberra Netball Association in their HCF State League, Division 1 and Division 4 teams as a goalkeeper. In her first season of Division 1, Thomas was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, which she wasn’t expecting.
“It feels amazing, I was very shocked when I got the award. When I heard I was nominated I was in shock and I didn’t really process it when they announced that I was the winner,” Thomas said.
“I think the recognition is good, but I did put a lot of effort in. It was my first year in Div 1 so it was very new to me and playing against ex-Darters like Jo Pivac and Sepi Hawke (nee Langi) was a massive opportunity for me to improve,” Thomas continued.
Growing up in Cowra, Thomas says she always stuck out but since moving to Canberra her height has become her biggest asset in a netball community that has embraced her.
“I only moved to Canberra five years ago and I was always the one that stuck out and put at the back of photos. I played soccer from a young age and when I got into Netball people really appreciated my height, it is an asset,” Thomas said.
“The community is very positive and welcoming, I really slotted in nicely to the Canberra environment.”
During last year Thomas created a video called Olympic Change Maker where she describes the integral part that sport has played in her life.
“I love how sport challenges me towards excellence, but I get the most out of leading change through my local community,” Thomas says in her video.
As she leads through coaching, umpiring and mentoring those around her to value and feel empowered by the Olympic values of respect, friendship and excellence.
“In all of these ways I hope to make an impact, to be a positive and supportive role model and to inspire those around me to be the best they can be,” Thomas said.
It doesn’t stop there for Thomas who is about to start Year 12. Being Netball Captain and House Captain allows Thomas to develop the leadership skills that she has learnt on the court.
“I will be house captain next year and I have been Netball captain for the last two years at school. I feel I can be both a leader at times and be someone who is part of the crowd,” Thomas said.
“I haven’t been captain for many of those games [SCNA], but I feel you don’t need a badge or a title to be a leader. Just being positive and supportive and implementing that through my leadership roles at school has been a really good opportunity.”
These skills and drive will take Thomas through her final year of school with the ability to undertake anything she sets her mind too.
