Recently she switched from helping create opportunities for one group of society to another, as the Barossa regional After School Activities co-ordinator.

When the sport fanatic completed her Flinders University degree she began working at SASRAPID, helping integrate athletes with a disability onto an elite pathway.

Now, after 15 years in various roles, Jo has switched to help primary school children realise their sporting dreams.

“Out of university I wanted to teach, but not just general teaching, I wanted to be a specialist and help create pathways,” Jo said.

“Sport is a great medium for life skills, and as a development officer with SASRAPID, I worked with people who had integration difficulties, from the grass roots through to Paralympics.

“With a background in country sport, I understand the importance of sport in communities and wanted to work with people who had a vulnerable background, and help create opportunities.”

Originally from Tailem Bend, Jo grew up in a sporting family, influenced by her father Terry, who was the youngest of 15 siblings - all who played sport. Terry is still the president of Tailem Bend Football Club, even though he now lives in Adelaide.

As the youngest of three sisters, Jo also grew up wanting to follow in her siblings’ footsteps, where every weekend in town was centred on sport, including netball and tennis.

“When I first moved to the city and started work, a colleague, Kylie Forby talked me into playing netball and tennis at Virginia, and a decade later I’m still her team-mate,” Jo said.

“A netball premiership has eluded us so far but we have won four or five tennis flags, including three-in-a-row.

“I also love watching sport, and on Australia Day was on the hill watching the cricket at Adelaide Oval.

“As for footy, the family has a supporting hierarchy - Tailem Bend is our country team, then Norwood in the SANFL, followed by the Crows.