Amanda was part of the U16 girls team which won the Junior National League for Mets this season. With such a strong team, votes for player of the year were very close and to win the award this year was a real testament to Amanda’s skill, commitment and popularity.

In the last match of the senior women’s national league season, Amanda was thrown in at the deep end having to substitute for starting setter Chrissie Mahon, who was injured during the warm up. Amanda had only the remainder of the warm up to raise her game to the standard required in the 1st division senior national league. Coach Mark Hudson did an outstanding job of using a matter of minutes to build Amanda’s confidence as a first team setter before stepping on court to face Dundee.

Assisted by her other U16 team-mates of Jennifer Mulraine, Gail McMillan and Diane Leslie, Amanda rose to the occasion and delivered a performance of such maturity that it belied her age and 1st team experience of 8 minutes. Her contribution went a long way to winning a critical match and ensuring the women’s first team remained mid table for the close of the season.

Amanda Burke