Lesley Thomas

Lesley Thomas has devoted her life to Sunbury Basketball since 1977, contributing as a player, coach, referee, administrator and leader. From pioneering women’s basketball locally to serving multiple terms as SBA Secretary and Vice President, Lesley’s impact is unparalleled.

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Lesley began playing in 1977 at Clarke Oval making that the first year of the domestic women’s competitions here at Sunbury – also going on to win that inaugural championship in her first season. Lesley also represented Sunbury at many tournaments prior to the Sunbury Jets era.

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Lesley helped form the Superoos Basketball Club and continued to play to the ripe age of 52. She was awarded Life Membership of the Superoos Basketball Club in 1996.

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Lesley was Secretary of the SBA from 1978 through to 1981 and Vice President from 1996 through to 2003 and again from 2018 through to 2023.

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Lesley was Tribunal Secretary in 1980’s, a Sunbury Jets VJBL Coach in 1982 and 1983 and refereed for over 20 years at the SBA, being awarded the SBA Technical Officials Commission Life Membership.

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After endorsement at the Hume City Council meeting held on 27 February 2023, Councillor Jack Medcraft formally announced on 26 March 2023 that the showcourt, court one, at Eric Boardman Stadium would be herein known as the “Lesley Thomas Court”.

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· Lesley won the SBA’s “Simmone Collins Award” – Referee Achievement Award” in 1996.

· Lesley won the SBA’s “Jim Moffat Award” – Referee Recognition Award” in 2004.

· Lesley won the SBA’s “Colin Carter Achievement Award” in 2004.

· Lesley won the “Hume City Council Resident of the month Award” in March 2012 for her significant contribution to the community as a player, coach, referee and board member.

· Lesley won the SBA’s “Kelvin Bowers Award – Sunbury Jets Best Club Person” in 2017.

· Lesley won the BigV’s “Lino Di Paolo Award for Volunteer of the Year” in 2022.

· Lesley was invited to Government House in September 2022 and for her ongoing work serving our sport, received “Contribution of Community Sport and Recreation Volunteer’s Award” from the Governor.