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Sport-loving father’s legacy continues with netball star Holly Gavin

Holly Gavin honours her father through netball

Holly Gavin’s life revolves around her love of netball. Pictures: Carmela Roche
Holly Gavin’s life revolves around her love of netball. Pictures: Carmela Roche

SETTING a fine example of commitment and sportsmanship, Holly Gavin has been nominated for a Local Sports Star Award in the Young Sporting Spirit Individual category.

A star player for Penrith’s under-12s rep team, Holly is completing her sixth year with St Clair Netball Club.

Devoting every day of the week to netball, Holly attends three training sessions, attends matches and rep carnivals and even coaches her little sister’s team, the under-8s Hawks junior team.

Mum Jackie Gavin said her daughter’s free time was even taken up with her love of the sport.

“I gave her a three-season pass for the Sydney Swifts at Christmas; she loves watching the team and takes inspiration from them,” Mrs Gavin said.

Holly’s father, Luke Gavin, an Australian infantry soldier, was killed in 2011 during his service in Afghanistan.

Netball connects Holly with her sport-loving father Luke, an Australian infantry soldier who was killed in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan.
Netball connects Holly with her sport-loving father Luke, an Australian infantry soldier who was killed in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan.

Mrs Gavin said netball was an outlet for Holly, and also a way of making her dad proud.

“I think sport is a way that she is able to connect with her dad and his family who are very involved in sport,” she said.

“He always wanted the kids to play a team sport, and he would be very proud of her commitment. She is definitely her father’s daughter.”

The awards are on until August 31. Prizes will be awarded to athletes aged 18 and under across four categories: Junior Sports Star Individual, Junior Sports Star Team, Young Sporting Spirit Individual and Young Sporting Spirit Team. There is also a Service To Sport category.

Details: localsportsstars.com.au/newslocal

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/localsportsstars/sportloving-fathers-legacy-continues-with-netball-star-holly-gavin/news-story/2765e0c8e180ac6e868c059b1f60e677