VIDEO: Maddy Proud's Support Team

Maddy Proud: When I think of my support team,I straight away think of my Dad.  He's been there all the way.He's a person that taught me how to throw a tennis ball and eventually a netball.

For Dad he didn't know much about netball when I first started out, but he you know, an expert by the end of it, and he was always there, sort of just encouraging me in every single way.

Tony Proud: The sacrifices I made for Maddy are not that many, really. We got up pretty early sometimes to go to training, but loved every minute of it really.

Maddy Proud: Having him in the car to talk about that training session on the way home, knowing that you always shared every experience for someone. Yeah, it was pretty special.

Tony Proud: One of my favourite memories is reading to your kids I must admit.  

There was a time that maybe didn't make the under fifteen's for the state team, and I just thought, well, it's not that big a deal, Maddie.  Just keep giving it a crack. 

Enjoyment is number one always having a smile on your face when you're playing.

Maddy Proud: To any young girls who are thinking about stopping playing netball I think “Think again”.  It gives you a focus, it helps you make friends and build skills that you can't learn anywhere else.

Tony Proud: You don't have to be the best, just be part of the team.  The values that they learn how to being part of a team is so important.

So Maddy here we go over to the next one.

Maddy Proud: All the dresses.

The support never stopped, especially once I did go professional and getting signed to the Thunderbirds when I was 16 at the time and about to start year 12.  I can't imagine getting through that in particular without the support of my family.

Tony Proud: I really love that one though, that indigenous one is beautiful.

For her to be captain in 2019 was just incredible, but I think I even felt prouder when she got up off the floor.  I'm going to cry when she did her ACL and then just so stoic.

Maddy Proud: I remember having this sort of like an epiphany, I guess, of being like I'm just really miss playing netball and I've missed purely throwing a ball around the court, and that made me sort of think, you know, when I get back out on that court. I'm never going to take a moment for granted because you never know when things going to end.

Tony Proud: And that one.

I thought you were never going to get another chance to be honest.  For you to be there for this one was amazing.  Been quite a journey, hasn't it? Very proud of you, silly surname we have

Maddy Proud: My favourite 

Tony Proud: Look at this.

Maddy Proud: So I decided to write ‘Grace on the Court’ for a few reasons.  One reason was just to have something for young girls out there to read about. That was sport related but I also think that transition from primary school to high school can be pretty tough and particularly young girls life they can be some defining years, and for me, the Saviour amongst all of that was netball and sport.

Tony Proud: Look at that Maddy, you have influenced a lot of girls.

If she can promote team sport and get kids concentrating on sport being part of a team, I think that's a really good message.

Maddy Proud: Makes me feel pretty good that they either (a) finish a book or (b) say they then want to go and play netball or want to keep playing netball

Tony Proud: Doesn't matter what level as long as they're playing.

Maddy Proud: Exactly.  Exactly. It's a bit of a highlights reel this one, isn't it?

Tony Proud: And how many happy girls are here?

Maddy Proud: Well Dad, I don't think any of this would have been able to happen if you haven't taught me how to throw a tennis ball or catch a slips catch, driven me to all those training sessions and cheered me on, so thank you Dad. 

Tony Proud: I love you.

Maddy Proud: I love you, too.