Jenny Purser : A Lasting Footprint at Perry Lakes Hawks
For close to three decades, Jenny Purser has been an integral part of the Perry Lakes Hawks basketball community, dedicating more than 25 years of service, commitment and passion to the Club.
Throughout her remarkable journey, Jenny has supported generations of players, coaches, families and volunteers, contributing countless hours to the growth and success of the Hawks. Her loyalty, dedication and love for the Club have made a lasting impact and helped shape the organisation it is today.
From Basketball Mum to Hawks Leader
Jenny’s journey with the Hawks began through her children, Ben and Emma, who both played their junior basketball with Subiaco Basketball Club. Jenny volunteered as a committee member at Subiaco before following Ben into the Hawks WABL program in 2001, with Emma joining the program in 2006.
During this time, Jenny managed Emma’s WABL team and helped fundraise for the Hawks Under-16 Boys touring team to the USA, in which Ben played, while her husband Andrew travelled as Team Manager.
Ben went on to become one of the most outstanding players in the Club’s history, winning two championships, captaining the Hawks’ SBL/NBL1 West teams and achieving multiple accolades, including becoming the Club’s record holder for games played. Jenny’s contribution to the Club extended well beyond her role as a basketball mum. She also volunteered alongside Life Member and Hawks icon Mike Bussell (dec.) to assist with the Hawks’ finances at the old Perry Lakes Stadium.
In February 2009, Jenny was elected to the Hawks Board, beginning a remarkable 15-year period of service that continued until December 2023. During her time on the Board, Jenny held several key portfolios, including Secretary, Finance, SBL Director until 2020, and NBL1 Director from 2021 to 2023.
Building a Strong Financial Future
One of Jenny’s most significant contributions came during 2009 and 2010, when she worked alongside then President Mike Garlepp and Finance Director Mike Bussell to negotiate a major change to the Club’s financial arrangements. Together, they negotiated with the Basketball WA CEO and Chair to move from receiving an annual management fee for running competitions on Basketball WA’s behalf at Perry Lakes Stadium, to receiving the competition fees directly from 1 January 2011.
This change enabled the Hawks to establish a strong and sustainable financial foundation – a legacy that continues to benefit the Club today. Jenny was also instrumental in the Club’s transition from the old Perry Lakes Stadium to the new Bendat Basketball Centre in 2010.
From Volunteer to Full-Time Hawks Staff Member
In May 2011, Jenny commenced part-time employment with the Hawks. As the Club continued to grow, with increasing numbers of teams, the expansion of WABL and the development of the State Basketball League, Jenny moved into a full-time position in 2019.
Her role saw her become one of the key people behind the scenes, managing the countless administrative, financial, logistical and operational requirements involved in running a growing basketball organisation.
Jenny also played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, steering the Club through strict compliance requirements and government regulations. Her work helped ensure teams could continue to participate at domestic and WABL levels, while the SBL was able to operate under a different competition format.
Her contribution to basketball administration was recognised in 2023 when Jenny was named NBL1 West Administrator of the Year at the BWA Awards Night.
Growing the Hawks
When reflecting on the highlights of her time with the Hawks, Jenny is particularly proud of the substantial increase in junior teams since 2011, despite the Club operating with limited court availability.
The growth of the WABL program is another significant achievement. During Jenny’s tenure, the number of WABL teams increased from 14 to 36, while the introduction of the whole-of-club WABL Gala Day in 2019 created a new opportunity for players, families and the wider Hawks community to come together.
Jenny also led the Club through the transition from the SBL to NBL1 in 2021 – a huge administrative and logistical undertaking that helped establish the next chapter of senior basketball at the Hawks.
Among her favourite memories are being part of the 2017 Women’s and 2018 Men’s SBL championship teams, as well as the inaugural 2021 NBL1 West Men’s championship.
The Club’s 50-year celebration in 2023 was another special moment, along with the opportunity to create new initiatives that will become part of the Hawks’ history, including the introduction of the Hawks Hall of Fame.
A Proud Basketball Mum – and a Son’s Perspective
Perhaps one of the highlights of Jenny’s Hawks journey has been watching her son Ben become one of the Club’s greatest players, including captaining the 2018 and 2021 championship teams and becoming the Hawks’ SBL/NBL1 games record holder.
When asked about his mum’s contribution to the Hawks, Ben said:
“For almost my entire playing career, Mum was always around the Hawks, working at the stadium and involved in almost every aspect of club life. Over the years, she wore many hats, but whatever the role, she brought the same qualities I have always known her for as a mum: incredibly hard-working, caring, supportive and fiercely passionate about the people around her. Looking back now, so many of my memories of playing are intertwined with her simply being there. She’d swing past to say hi when I was working out at the stadium, meet me at the door when I arrived for training, be one of the first there and the last to leave on game nights, and turn up at 6am to wave us off on road trips.
“I know I took some of that for granted at the time, but looking back now, I realise just how lucky I was and what a privilege it was to have her there by my side through it all. One of my favourite memories from my playing days was after we won the 2018 championship. I remember seeing Mum out on the court afterwards with a huge smile on her face and giving her a hug. Winning that first championship was obviously incredibly special but seeing how happy Mum was and being able to share that moment with her, after everything she had given to the Club and having her there alongside me for the journey, is a memory that means a lot to me.”
Jenny Through the Eyes of the Hawks
Life Member and Club icon Sharon Spinner summed up Jenny’s contribution to the Hawks in a very personal way:
“How do I write my honesty about someone so special? Jenny Purser is HAWKS.
H – HOPE for players’ dreams
A – ASSISTANCE and goodwill
W – WORTHY – hardworking
K – KINDNESS – you also must be tough to succeed
S – SUPPORT – years of organisation and dedication
“A wonderful leader who has only ever had her beloved teams’ hopes and dreams in her mind. Jenny has served the Hawks with dedicated years of service to make our Club as successful as it is. To you, Ms J, your very heart and soul and resilient spirit are a testament to your unwavering dedication and unbreakable work ethic.”
Hall of Fame inductee and Life Member Rick Morcom also reflected on Jenny’s enormous contribution:
“Jenny bleeds the blue and white. Fiercely loyal to Perry Lakes and all that truly represents the Club. She does not suffer fools. Jenny knows, honours and respects the past glories of our great Club and passes that information on. She has worked tirelessly, over and above, to service Perry Lakes – from dollars and cents to uniforms, parent enquiries, training times, liaison with BWA, plus too many other tasks to mention. In other words, she is irreplaceable. There is no replacing the knowledge and work ethic she brings to her role. I, for one, will miss dropping in for a chat, seeing a friendly face and just knowing the Club is in safe hands. I will nominate you for Life Membership at the first opportunity. Enjoy your retirement, Jen. You deserve it, but we will miss you.”
A Lasting Footprint
Jenny’s incredible work behind the scenes, and the countless hours she has given to the Hawks above and beyond her formal responsibilities, have left the Association in a strong and sound financial position. Her contribution has helped create an organisation that can continue to grow and evolve, paving the way for thousands of young basketballers to enjoy the game and be part of the Hawks community.
After more than 25 years of service, Jenny leaves behind a footprint that extends far beyond the roles she has held. Her impact can be seen in the growth of the Club, the strength of its programs, the people she has supported and the generations of Hawks who have benefited from her dedication.
We will miss you, Jenny P.
Thank you for your dedication, commitment, resilience and passion for our Association. Thank you for the countless hours, the behind-the-scenes work, the problem-solving and, most importantly, for always putting the Hawks first.
Enjoy your retirement, Jenny. You have certainly earned it.
Remember…
Once a Hawk, always a Hawk.
Jenny’s last day in the office will be Friday August 28th
