Bendigo Strikers back from bench

THE new Bendigo Strikers Netball Club, which will represent the region in the Victorian Netball League from next year, has roots in an earlier group that disbanded about 15 years ago.  

The original Bendigo Strikers came together in about 1998 and was founded by local netballers Christy Griffiths and her sister Michelle George. 

Griffiths said they would both go down to play in Melbourne at the time, herself in division one and her sister at championship level. 

“Our parents used to drive us down to Melbourne three times a week,” she said. “It cost us a fortune, I don’t know how mum and dad were able to afford it.” 

At that point, the large, statewide Country Cup competition had just wound up. 

“So, we had a lot of players that had been playing at that standard and we just thought well, we’ve got to keep it going,” said Griffiths. 

Another sister, Kate Bird, was involved with the Melbourne Kestrels at the time and asked the Strikers to do a curtain-raiser for the team. 

This led to future Australian Opal and Bendigo netball legend, Caitlyn Thwaites, being spotted by Marg Lind, coach of the Kestrels at the time. 

“Northcentral as a region, we were so strong back in the day,” said Griffiths. 

It took a lot of support from the community for the original Strikers to do well and the team provided a path for players to reach the next level. 

“It’s about getting the young ones up and going,” Griffiths said. 

When she stopped playing with the Strikers after her daughter was born about 17 years ago, Griffiths said the team continued on the court for a couple of years until disbanding. 

Bendigo Strikers interim board member Meagan Keating said the club was pleased to continue the Strikers’ legacy. 

“It’s really nice for us to be able to continue that name as an elite pathway opportunity for players in our region,” said Ms Keating.