Lesley Thomas

Les's Bio

· 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. The team name was “Sunbury Realty” named after the local real estate agency at the time. Lesley also represented Sunbury at many country tournaments prior to the Jets era.

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

· 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.

· Lesley was Tribunal Secretary in 1980’s, a Jets VJBL Coach in 1982 and 1983 and refereed for over 20 years at the SBA, being awarded the SBA Referees Association Inaugural Life membership.

· Lesley was also part of the SBA Board that steered the Association through the after affects of the devastating tornado in August 2000.

· Lesley was an A Grade referee and in 2009 was awarded Life Membership of the Sunbury Basketball TOC.

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

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

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

· 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.

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

· The SBA has been a major part of Lesley’s life since 1977, when the first SBA women’s basketball domestic competition started.