Wildcats Association Series | Sharon Spinner, Perry Lakes Hawks

All these years later, her children have grown up and moved on from playing, but Sharon is still there, continuing to give back to the organisation that has given so much to her family.

From refereeing and coordinating officials for games to coaching and volunteering on the score bench, Sharon has contributed to almost every area of the club.

“Perry Lakes has been amazing. It was my club when I first came here”

For Sharon, it is the people who have kept bringing her back.

“They work really hard, they just, make it successful”

“I have all these wonderful people in my life, and that is why I give back.”

“My own children have been successful because of people and clubs like Perry Lakes Hawks.”

Sharon has a particular dedication to refereeing, coming from an understanding and respect for every role within basketball that was instilled in her from a young age.

“My coach back in New Zealand made sure we understood every side of basketball. Being a player under him also meant teaching the younger kids.”

“Everyone used to complain and ask, “Why do we have to referee?” He would say, “If you want to play the game, you have to learn what it’s like on the other side.”

Perry Lakes played an important role in encouraging Sharon to continue developing within the game, beginning what she describes as an incredible journey.

“Perry Lakes has been absolutely amazing in encouraging me to continue developing.” 

“I think I was then able to do the same for the players and the teams of referees coming through the club.”

Through this work, Sharon has played a meaningful role in the lives of countless people across the Perry Lakes community, building relationships that have continued long beyond their time on the basketball court.

“It has been an incredible journey because I still see many of those kids now.”

“They invite me to their weddings and birthdays, and some of their children are even playing now, which I find incredible.” 

“They’ll say, “It’s all because of you,”

“It really touches me to know that I may have instilled something meaningful in people’s lives.”

For Sharon, however, her contribution has never been about receiving recognition.

“One of the biggest things my parents taught me was that you don’t need a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates for people to say thank you.”

“You will be rewarded somewhere along the way.”

That reward came in 2018, when Sharon was awarded Life Membership of both the Perry Lakes Hawks Basketball Association and the Perry Lakes Basketball Referees Association.

“Receiving my Life Membership was really amazing.”

“You don’t go looking for those things, but when they do happen, they are incredibly special.”

Her work with Perry Lakes also led to an opportunity with the Perth Wildcats, where she organised the floor wipers at every home game.

Sharon continues to proudly represent the Hawks from her place on the score bench, remaining a familiar and much-loved face in the Perry Lakes community.

Catch the Perry Lakes Hawks in action when they take on the Cockburn Cougars at Bendat Basketball Centre this Friday the 17th July.

Women: 6:20pm
Men: 8:10pm