SUPPORTERS of the Lady Hornets across the past five years have likely seen Sharon Fedke either on the court or the sidelines.
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She was the inaugural playing-coach of the Lady Hornets when they joined the Country Basketball League in the 2013/14 season and has been involved since.
When she moved to Horsham 15 years ago, the first thing she did was walk into the city’s basketball stadium, eager to get involved.
“I walked in the door and was looking for a game and the first person I met was Owen Hughan,” she said.
“I told him what I had done and what I would like to do . I think within the first couple of weeks I had a phone call from the under-14s girls’ squad coach and she asked me if I would help her out.
“I’m very happy to say now that some of the girls I coached back then I’ve now been able to play with them in the CBL.”
Before moving to Horsham, Fedke had travelled the state playing basketball at a range of levels.
She played in the Big V at Echuca and Geelong and in 2006 was named in the league’s top 50 female players of the past 20 years.
“Basketball is just the thing I really love to do – I’ve been playing since I was six,” she said.
“I’ve had the opportunity to play at a lot of different levels in a lot of places. I’ve moved a few times and every time I move the first thing I do is get involved with basketball. I’ve made a lot of friends and it’s just a part of my life that I love.”
Fedke said she was known for her competitive nature on the court – something that went a long way to her playing at a high level for such a long time.
“I always had that desire to win,” she said.
“I love to shoot the ball but something I’ve taken from my playing into coaching is that I believe good offence comes from good defence. It’s about having that tenacity on the court.”
After coaching in Horsham for around 10 years, Fedke helped put together the Lady Hornets for their first season in 2013.
“We put the feelers out there and we knew there was a lot of talent here in Horsham,” she said.
“Steve Bruce contacted me and said they were looking to put a women’s team together. We put a team together and it was great. First year in and we won a championship, so it was a really good year.”
After a 10 year spell as a coach and not playing senior basketball, Fedke returned to the court with the Lady Hornets.
Some of the girls I coached back then I’ve now been able to play with them in the CBL.
- Sharon Fedke
“We’ve been playing four seasons and we’ve won two championships and that’s pretty special,” she said.
At the end of last season, she decided the knees needed a rest, retiring from basketball and moving permanently to the sidelines as Gareth Hiscock’s assistant coach.
“I was a little bit hesitant about being involved this year because I didn’t know how I would feel not playing,” she said.
“My mind still wants me to play but my body is saying no. I’ve been quite relaxed about it and just really enjoyed being part of the team on the sidelines.”
Hiscock was Fedke’s assistant coach for the inaugural 2013/14 season, and she said the pair have worked well together.
“I think that we have a good understanding of each other,” she said.
“We bring different things to the floor. I like to break things a part a little bit more and he brings other things. We compliment each other and I’ve learnt a lot of new things from him.”
The Lady Hornets have dominated this year and Fedke said the team was hungry for more success.
“We are more determined than ever to prove ourselves and be stronger,” she said.