Yule be greatly missed, Christie | Bay of Plenty Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Bay of Plenty

Seasoned regional rep player, inspirational coach, umpire and committed volunteer - teenager Christie Yule is the ultimate "allrounder".

Moving on to studies at Massey University next month, the bubbly 18-year-old has been a hugely positive influence at Mount Maunganui College, the Harbourside Netball Centre and within Netball Bay of Plenty.

Her efforts hardly stop there either - a four-year stint as Netball Bay of Plenty's delegate to the Netball New Zealand Youth Council culminated in a national accolade last year. Yule was also a standout winner of the Best Student Contribution award at the Bay of Plenty Sports awards last year.

Add an ongoing love of surf lifesaving competition and a recent move into rugby, plus kayaking, athletics, swimming, water polo and triathlon in years past and you'll get some measure of Yule's energy.

Usually on-court at centre or wing defence, Yule has made Bay age-group sides every year since '06 and the Netball NZ Talent Identification squad in '07, but has found equal satisfaction beyond the role of player.

Catching the netball bug at primary school, she got a taste for wider involvement soon after moving up to college, when she returned to coach teams at Mount Intermediate.

"I had asked myself 'What do I really like about the sport?' I realised it was the people, and that the best way to get more out of that was to coach."

A highlight of Yule's coaching commitment was in 2008 with the Mount College Huia side.

"A few of the girls had a bit of attitude. One in particular was getting into trouble at school but also had lots of potential. To get her on side I decided to put her in a role with responsibility, so I made her captain.

"She ran the warm-up sessions and really stepped up as a leader and a player. The team ended up placing second in their grade at Harbourside. It was good to watch.

"Coaching's always a challenge but it's great to see a change in attitude [in players] at the end of the season. It's not about winning or losing something but helping them improve, and grow as a person too.

"You see it happen and think, 'Yeah, I helped them do that'."

She has also been a great asset with the whistle, often helping out as umpire for Mount College teams, along with primary and intermediate school events.

Then there's the carpark duties for ANZ Championship matches, summer coaching camp, the weekly commitment of lowering 26-odd goalposts at Harbourside for the junior Kiwi Goals league ...

From the youngest players to national administrative level, Yule gives her best. Shouldering the challenge of being Bay representative to Netball New Zealand's Youth Council when she was just 14, she has won high praise. The perfect embodiment of Netball Bay of Plenty's "All About Heart" campaign to encourage players into coaching and umpiring, Yule took a leading role locally.

Fronting the initiative to Netball New Zealand, she then bowled over national staff with the passion and pride of her presentation.

In recognition of her commitment, Yule was named Netball New Zealand's volunteer of the year for 2009 and also took out the best student contribution to sport accolade at the Bay of Plenty sports awards.

Asked what motivates her, Yule says: "The team aspect gives you great friendships you wouldn't have without sport. It's really important to give back to something I've got so much from."

Netball Bay of Plenty chief executive Sheryl Dawson has been deeply impressed by Yule's dedication.

"If there's a job to be done to support the sport she'll take it on. The way she's willing to get involved really sets her apart. Her sense of encouragement for others is always commented on in rep teams.

"She's clearly had an impact on netball in the region and her national award is recognition of that."

While Yule's unsure how much time her first-year studies towards a degree in exercise and sport science will leave for netball, there's every chance the sport will benefit further from her huge enthusiasm in years to come.