As well as managing an international lacrosse career, Jean also represented Australia at 2 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Championships in 1967 and 1971, playing at point guard.
Known widely as someone who prefers to avoid the spotlight, there is still arguably no other person in South Australia who has been more influential in teaching, playing, coaching and expanding the game for females than Jean Bain.
As a PE teacher, described by some of her students as ‘inspiring’, she introduced lacrosse to thousands of teenage girls, many of whom continued to play competitively and some of those achieving international status.
Jean Marshall joined the teaching staff of Seacombe High School in 1963.
Barry Bain, a lacrosse player and a teacher at the school was the coach of the inaugural Seacombe club team that entered the lacrosse association in the same year.
The couple married in 1966 and together continued to build numbers of players and teams, laying the ground for what was to become one of the most successful women’s lacrosse clubs in the history of South Australian Lacrosse – the Seacombe Women’s Lacrosse Club.
With a captive school audience, Jean and Barry recruited and coached generations of girls and lacrosse grew to become an established sport in SA. Barry also coached the Seacombe A Grade team for many years even after moving to Brighton High School to continue his teaching career.
The Bains organised training camps and interstate visits allowing players to improve and extend their game.
Tapping into the young talent under her tutelage, she also recruited many young female lacrosse players to play basketball at the North Adelaide Basketball Club and vice versa.
Jean Bain played in 4 State League premierships for Seacombe. She was a member of the South Australia Senior State team from 1965-1969, winning two national titles in 1965 & 1966.
A fast, skilful, smart player, to whom others looked for leadership, Jean Bain was named captain of the first Australian Women’s Lacrosse team that played in a Tri series (Australia, England and USA) in Perth in 1969.
The couple also volunteered in the organisation and running of SAWLA – now Lacrosse SA – Jean being the SAWLA records secretary for many years, and Barry as State coach and selector.
The following year, 1975, Jean and Barry Bain were awarded Life Membership of the Seacombe Women’s Lacrosse Club for their tireless efforts and outstanding service.
In 1974 Jean Bain had been awarded Life Membership of the SA Women’s Lacrosse Association – for many years of meritorious, voluntary service in a variety of roles.
In phenomenal dual achievements, Jean Bain, as well as managing an international lacrosse career, also represented Australia at 2 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Championships in 1967 and 1971, playing at point guard.
She was recognised for her outstanding contribution to basketball, at all levels, with Life Membership of the North Adelaide Basketball Club. Jean Bain has also been inducted into the Basketball SA Hall of Fame.
