Melissa Turk.
Positions: Midcourt
Team: Crusaders Hearts
Coaching Teams: Crusaders Diamonds & Crusaders Hearts
About: I work in Admissions, Schools Liaison and Marketing for a successful FE College in the Liverpool City Region. My job involves me talking to pupils in school about their future and helping them decide what’s the best pathway for them. I also spend a lot of time talking to them about enrichment including the college netball teams and love to engage young people in sports and keeping fit and healthy (mentally and physically)
My favourite hobby is netball! Through my love and passion for the sport I have met some of the most amazing and inspirational women who I am lucky enough to call my friends. The buzz that you get after a game is SO MUCH better than after a gym class or run! The social aspect of the sport and belonging to a team makes the win so much more rewarding!
I joined the coaching team in 2020 and during the first lockdown, I supported Crusaders Head Coach, Ash and Assistant Coach, Sue with some virtual training sessions to keep the team fit and healthy. I also organised charity and fundraising campaigns involving fitness and wellbeing sessions for both my netball teams and work colleagues, working together to support each other.
Post lockdown, I have supported the coaches by running training sessions and attending matches for Diamonds and Aces to support them on court. It has been amazing to see their journey and help the players flourish as netballers.
Why I joined Crusaders?
I joined Crusaders to help fill in when one of the players relocated to London. This was due to be a temporary maternity cover to save the team recruiting a new player. Having played with a lot of the Crusaders in other teams, the temporary role suited both them and me. However I soon realised that being a Crusader was more than putting on a bib and playing a game of netball.. My journey continued as a player and coach. I’m not able to play as much as I used to as I have recently become a mum which is the probably the most challenging but rewarding job I have ever done!
The Crusader girls have been such an incredible support to me both on and off court. Being part of the Crusader family means so much more than playing a social sport. Each and every player has their own strengths that collectively make up the amazing club that we all call Crusaders. We’ve shared some fabulous times together and I know there will be many more ahead! There aren’t many clubs where players come but only leave due to relocation.. I think that says it all! Head Coach Ash has developed and grown something special that means so much to everyone involved and I am honoured to be part of that.