Torquay star balances dual netball commitments across Victoria and NSW

THE pull of family has one of Torquay’s top netballers on double duty, playing A-grade netball across two states this season.

When Bridget Witham learned her sister would be player-coaching an A-grade side in New South Wales this year, she couldn’t resist the chance to play alongside her again.

Years had passed since the sisters last shared the court and Witham knew the opportunity might not come around again.

With the blessing of Torquay coach Madi Browne, Witham has already made two trips to Collingullie – a small village near Wagga Wagga – with more trips to come.

“Family first was the first words that came out of Madi’s mouth,” Witham said.

“She gave me her full support and with Surf Coast Suns coming into the league, we now have three byes, so that means I can go up there and play.

“It’s a big commitment and in hindsight, I’ve looked back being, like, ‘Wow, I don’t have a single weekend off between the start of April and the end of September’.

“But I love netball, even though my body hates me a little bit at the moment.”

Witham’s sister, Olivia Jolliffe, is the playing coach of the undefeated Collingullie-Wagga A-grade side in the Riverina Netball League.

Jolliffe returned to the role this season after welcoming her third child and Witham said there was no guarantee the pair would both be playing A-grade netball at the same time again.

Witham said the 11-hour return drive felt like a small price to pay for the chance to share the court once more, but admits balancing contrasting styles and demands has its own challenges.

“There’s different game styles and different coaching styles between Madi and Liv,” Witham said.

While Witham hopes to balance two finals campaigns later this year, she only recently considered stepping away from competitive sport altogether.

After returning to running at Landy Field for her mental health in 2024, she caught the eye of Geelong VFLW recruiters and went on to play for the Cats.

“I said at the end of 2023, ‘I think I might take a break in 2024’ and it just happened that when I got back into running a fair few of the AFLW and VNL netballers trained down there too,” Witham said.

“[Geelong’s] coaches and their recruitment would come down to some of that pre-season training, and then they said, ‘Have you ever given footy a crack?’

“I loved it, I really did, but I was probably a bit old, and it was taxing.

“It’s long sessions in the VFLW and I said it’s a bit too hard of a commitment when I’m so much older than the younger girls who can balance it easier when they’re at uni or working part-time.”

The elite environment ultimately reinforced how much she missed the community connection she had at Torquay.

With family spread across the country, Witham said the club had become a second family.

“The club has been a part of our life for the last nine years,” she said.

“I do really appreciate and love the club for that. It is a really friendly, family-orientated place and I think that’s why even when I stepped away and went to a professional club like Geelong, that I still came back to Torquay after a year.

“I love netball. I think at the end of the day I’m coming to terms with realising that I am getting older, so netball might not be forever, and I need to enjoy it while I’ve got it.”