WHEN the Australian Junior Country Cup began in Albury last week, Bathurst Goldminers official Sue Purvis-Masters was excited just to be a part of the management of the talented NSW Waratahs girls’ under 16s side.

As the team’s form built during the course of the week, she realised that her players could be on track to play a major part in the medal rounds.

She was ultimately proven to be spot on when they met the South Australian Magpies in the decider and went on to win that match, with Bathurst player Matilda Flood part of the winning group.

What followed was even better.

“At the end of the tournament they announced that I would be managing the 16s Australian Country team to tour New Zealand later in the year which was an amazing thing to hear,” Purvis-Masters said.

“Initially, I just couldn’t believe that we’d won the tournament, and then to hear that news on top of it was a fantastic feeling.”

It got better still.

In recognition for her contribution to the sport as a manager and organiser, she was given an award from the directors of the tournament.

“It was actually the same award that Paul [husband Paul Masters] received a couple of years ago for his services in terms of coaching, mine was for management,” she said.

“It wasn’t something I expected at all.

“They made the announcement about the trip to New Zealand which was a big surprise, and then started talking about this award and about the person who won it, I was wondering who it was for.

“The thought that it could be for me never really entered my head so it came as a huge shock when they read out my name.”

And, she wasn’t the only Bathurst person recognised at the end of the event.

Local referee Steve Chapman officiated in the boys under 18s final, which in itself was a show of the regard in which he was held by the tournament directors.

Afterwards it was announced that he too would be heading to the Shaky Isles later this year as an official referee with the Australian Country team’s tour.