Contax Netball Club, East Torrens Kensington Gardens Tennis Club legend Pauline Fielden awarded Medal of Order (OAM)

This SA netball and tennis legend has been honoured for her incredible six-decade contribution helping sporting stars of the future shoot for the stars.

This local sporting icon has spent 62 years giving back to Contax Netball Club, not that she’s keeping count of her remarkable sporting achievements.

“I don’t know how many premierships I’ve won,” Pauline Fielden, 80, says.

“I don’t keep count because I just do it for the love of it all.”

Mrs Fielden, of Hectorville, has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to netball and tennis, including at East Torrens-Kensington Gardens Tennis Club, where she is a passionate member.

Pauline Fielden has been awarded an OAM for her contribution to sport in South Australia pictured with past and present players Jessica Mader, 35, granddaughter Tahlia Fielden, 10 and Tahlia Jolly, 15. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Also a recipient of an Australian Sports Medal in 2000, and a winner of the Margaret Angove service award with Contax she was “overwhelmed” by her latest honour.

“I’m a bit overwhelmed to be honest,” she says.

“You don’t really do this for those kinds of accolades.”

Mrs Fielden is remarkably still part of both clubs after over 60 years of service.

Read about her journey in both sports.

CONTAX CHAMPION

Mrs Fielden was captivated by netball at a young age and joined Contax as a junior in 1960.

The resume she has put together since is remarkable.

Not only has she won multiple premierships as a player, and a coach of 60 years, but the Contax veteran started the club’s junior program in 1966, was president on four separate occasions from 1966 to 2000, has been a mentor and team coordinator since 1960, and has also been a committee member since 1989.

Mrs Fielden also impressively authored the club’s history and is now a life member.

“It’s been a very long time looking back,” she says of her time at the club.

Local netball and current Contax coach Pauline Fielden with past and present players Jessica Mader, Tahlia Fielden and Tahlia Jolly. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“It’s such a fantastic, family-oriented club and I’ve loved every bit of seeing it evolve – when I joined there were two teams and now we have 37.”

While she has been at the club since 1960 and had been coaching for 66 years, one of Mrs Fielden’s favourite highlights had been her recent seasons in coaching.

She led the club’s U14 side to a title last year, something she said made her extremely proud.

“I’ve absolutely loved coaching and these girls are the most delightful group of girls,” she says.

“They’re so dedicated and it was such a big honour to win with them last season. I’m so happy for them.

“What makes a club like Contax so special is it’s a combined effort from everyone. Everyone has to be dedicated from the parents and families to all the staff. It makes success that much more rewarding.”

TENNIS TITAN

First picking up a racquet at the age of 11, Mrs Fielden’s impact on the East Torrens Kensington Gardens Tennis Club has also been astounding.

The club champion astoundingly still plays the sport at a competitive level for the club and for the state – which she has captained – in the Australian Seniors Tennis Championships.

Mrs Fielden has been a president at ETKG, a junior tennis coordinator for 10 years, a committee member for over 25 years, and is also a life member.

Pauline Fielden with fellow ETKG club member Rick Davies during the club’s 2018 100-year celebrations. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“I have so many amazing memories of ETKG, about starting there, about playing with my husband David who has been so supportive of me, and just how the club has evolved,” she says.

“I’ve just never given up playing. I love it so much and I think when you first give up that’s when your body gives up as well.”

Mrs Fielden has played in almost every division for the club since she started and said the club and sport had become part of every day life.

“These sports are just part of me now, it’s hard to describe but they’ve had such a big impact,” she says.

“It’s been a thrill to play tennis all these years and to know I’ve contributed to my club makes me proud.

“I think everyone involved in local sport should do their bit for their clubs so that’s why I make sure I’m always contributing.

“I don’t ever want to give up on my time at my netball and tennis clubs.”