By BRIDGET COOK
WOMEN who built netball in Casey from the ground up, to young girls just starting out in the game, all came together to celebrate a significant milestone on Friday night.
More than 220 people packed Amstel Golf Course to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Casey Netball Association, formally known as the Cranbourne South West Netball Association.
It was as much of a reunion as it was a celebration as men and women of all ages who have contributed to netball in Casey over the past 60 years shared stories and mingled with former and current coaches, players, club presidents, scorers and umpires.
One of Australia’s most recognised sportswomen Sharelle McMahon was the guest speaker on the night and shared her story about how she went from grassroots netball to playing and captaining the Australian team.
The association also unveiled its Strategic Plan 2014-18 on the night which outlined how they plan to increase participation, develop their capacity, people and places and grow the support of netball in Casey over the next four years.
Casey Netball Association president Sue Booth said the night was all about celebrating the givers in the association.
“It’s about all of you out there who volunteer your precious time each week to ensure that we have a positive netball culture within the City of Casey,” she said.
“Whether you are players, coaches, parents, umpires or committee members with your clubs, your efforts all contribute to the very healthy environment we find ourselves in at the Casey Netball Association.
“I would like to acknowledge our life-members Barb Hammond, Val Slade, Carmel Huxtable, Debbie Schramm, Sandra Van Rooye, Toni Henderson, Jo Crowther, Gayle Sparks and Rebekah Booth.”
Ms Booth said she has been involved in the association for almost 20 years and had seen it grow considerably and her family had made life-long friends through the sport.
Netball Victoria president Jenny Sanchez also addressed the crowd and said it was organisations like Casey Netball Association that made netball thrive in local communities.
“When you watch the Vixens and Diamonds, this is where it all begins – with volunteers in communities throughout Victoria like you.
“If we take you away, there is no sport.
“We deliver awesome values to communities and we do it without handouts or overly generous amounts from governments.
“We sweep the courts ourselves, we paint the courts ourselves, we raise money for new uniforms if we have to and we step up and coach and umpire and score.
“The women, and men, here are a sophisticated, high-achieving, highly-ambitious and highly capable group and I congratulate you for the brilliance that you are.”
