Star of Month for June 2018 - Mel Marshalsey
Mel Marshalsey
If anyone deserves recognition for encouraging young girls to take up sport then it is Mel Marshalsey, who has had a major role to play in the development of netball in our county, and who is a worthy recipient of a 'Star of the Month' award from PembrokeshireSport.co.uk for May 2018.
Mel still plays when needed for the Chaos club's senior team and is chairman and secretary of the ladies' league in the county, as well as being heavily involved in the club's two teams at each of the under 11, 13 and 15 levels, all of whom have 'interesting' names chosen by the girls themselves.
She began playing here when she and her husband moved to Brawdy as serving soldiers and there was little sport for Army wives - so they formed the team and named it 'Chaos' because two of the squad had played for a team of that name in their home country of Australia.
Gradually Mel & Co added junior teams as more and more youngsters wanted to play - and all the games are played at The Dome in Haverfordwest on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.
Roles aplenty in netball – and deserved Sport Pembrokeshire recognition
Mel is vice chairman of the junior league to Alaric Churchill (St Clears) and it is great to report that she is now head coach for the senior and junior sections after qualifying over three days in Llanelli, where she had to plan and evaluate coaching sessions, produce a work book and generally show her ability to communicate with players of the game.
Not content with that little lot, Mel is also now a qualified umpire and helps out when not playing or coaching.
Last November saw Mel nominated for, and win, the 'Sports Organiser of the Year' award with the Sport Pembrokeshire's very special awards evening and few would object to her success in recognition of an amazing commitment to netball.
She is a credit to her sport and we are delighted that she joins our list of tremendous characters to receive what we consider a very special award from PembrokeshireSport.co.uk!