Rachel Tau’alupe - Board Chair

I am a Marlborough local who has enjoyed playing netball here for over 10 years. I like to be competitive and work hard to bring my best to the court each Saturday. I am one of those players who ends up playing every position through the season and love the variety and challenge this brings. 

I live locally in Blenheim with my husband and have 2 beautiful preschool aged children. I work as a Logistics and Production Manager for a local winery as well as running my own business as a Marriage Celebrant. 

I joined the MNC Board in 2021 with a focus on bringing new ideas and a hard working attitude to my role. My strengths are in social media, logistics, marketing and public relations which I am hoping I can use to assist with sourcing sponsorship and improving the communication to our netball community via social media and other outlets. I am always willing to listen to ideas and feedback and hope to use my role in MNC to create a positive and competitive competition. 

Mikayla Avant - Deputy Board Chair​​​​​​​

I currently live in Marlborough and have done for just over 5 years. I enjoy playing netball,

having played at premier level for many years since my early teens. I’m a competitive, driven person in nature and work hard to achieve my best. I am a club committee member for Harlequins; primary teacher, sports co-ordinator and netball coach at Rapaura School.

Sport and exercise has always been a huge part of my life, as I am a very active person who enjoys socialising with friends and getting out in the sounds, this makes up who I am today.

I’m looking forward to growing with and working alongside Marlborough Netball. Facing new challenges and watching us grow.

Helen McLauchlan

I have lived in Marlborough for just over 6 years, just outside Blenheim where we run our family vineyard.  My husband and I have three children and we are closely involved in our local school community.  As a result I have been either sideline supporter, manager or coach of many junior netball teams.

As a past player and avid netball fan it has been a privilege to further contribute as a board member.  I joined the board in 2020 during the Covid lockdown, which was a time of challenge and change in community sport.  I am proud of the adaptability our netball community showed during this time.

Alongside our vineyard business, I am a Speech Language Therapist and have been in a variety of roles within the health sector in Marlborough.  On the board I have a role on the competition committee and in reviewing complaints/disputes.  I enjoy the opportunity to play a role in supporting our great sport in Marlborough.

Helen McLauchlan

021 992 773 

Paige Lovell

I have played netball in Marlborough since I moved here when I was 8 with this being my 10th year in premier netball. I like to enjoy my netball but also love to win. Being a defender has always been a dream but us shooters never know the meaning of “3 feet”. 

I work in pre production logistics for a wine bottling company and absolutely love my job. When I’m not working I’m playing netball at least 3 times a week and then adding trainings on top of that. When I’m not playing netball I’m watching it. 

This will be my first year of being on the Marlborough Netball Board. I’m absolutely looking forward to seeing what I can offer over the next three years and how I can help improve the future of Marlborough netball. I can’t wait to give my all to Marlborough netball and I’ll see you all around the courts for the 2022 season. 

Brenda Chilvers

I have been involved in Marlborough Netball for more than 25years I have served on the board, played and coached.

I made many friends locally and nationally through my involvement with age group reps. It feels good to be back to support the new team at Marlborough netball and my 4 mokopuna who all play. 

Catch you round the courts.

Nga mihinui Brenda

Sally King

I have lived in and loved Blenheim for over 30 years, playing netball on and off since primary school - most recently playing for Pelorus Revival in grade one and coaching Pelorus Owen Marine in grade 6.

I have worked at Marlborough Lines for almost 15 years, currently my role is Project Manager/Estimator.  

I am married to Malcolm, and we have two grown children - Caitlin (20) is studying Engineering in Christchurch and Ollie (18) is currently living at home and working in the vineyards before heading away to study next year.

Sport is an important part of life for our family, whether that is playing, coaching, managing, umpiring, or serving on board or committees.

In my spare time I like to get out in the fresh air - running in the Wither Hills or walking the many amazing tracks we have in Marlborough, read books, or watch my kids play sport.

I look forward to learning more about the running of Marlborough Netball, and bringing my experience with other sports and associations to help MNC continue successfully into the future.

Shana Pinker

I am a Blenheim girl who has played Netball off and on for most of my life. I have two beautiful teenage daughters who love all things netball and it’s been exciting seeing them grow under the guidance of Marlborough Netball. 

During the past 6 years I have played, coached and managed teams. Within those 6 years I have started Legion Netball which has been a huge privilege to see so many of our talented youth develop both physically and socially.  

I look forward to all the new experiences and learning being on the board offers and am excited to share my background in business, non profits and charities with the team.