A Saint like no other celebrates 300

A signifcant milestone for the backbone of the Nangwarry Netball Club

Cassie Dinnison is an icon of netball in the Limestone Coast. Not just because her resume is so impressive, filled with representative netball and individual accolades, but because she has toughed it out a club that has had its struggles with personnel but remained loyal.

Cassie clocked up game 300 for the Nangwarry Netball Club and is again part of their A Grade lineup, bringing her experience, wiles and determination to a group that is so often on the wrong side of the scoreboard but that relishes her leadership and always looks to improve and develop.

Cassie’s netball career started in Adelaide before her family moved to Mount Gambier and she played junior netball at Glencoe before moving to Tantanoola to play alongside her sister Jacqui Matthews.

It was in 2000 that Cassie arrived at the Nangwarry Netball Club, joining her now husband, Adam Dinnison, and of her 300 games, the vast majority have been in A Grade.

Cassie also spent some time in the Western Border Netball Association at South Gambier, before returning to the Saints where she continues to be a pivotal figure – an A Grade player, an umpire, a coach and a committee member.

Cassie has represented both the Mid South East Netball Association and Western Border Netball Association at the SA Country Championships and Victorian Association Championships, emerging as part of a championships team twice at the SA event and once in Victoria. And while the ultimate success has never come during her time at Nangwarry, she has played in numerous finals series.

Individual accolades have always come the way of Cassie, who has made her mark over her career in all three areas of the court.

She has been a regular member of the Mid South East Top 10 and a Western Border Team of the Year member, while also securing individual accolades that include Mid South East A Grade joint runner up; the A Grade Best Under 21 Player Award and claiming the best and fairest award in the 17 & under grade.

Her trophy cabinet is filled with club awards and along with her almost two decades on the Nangwarry Netball Club committee, she has served as both president and secretary on numerous occasions.

Proof the 300-gamer is showing no signs of slowing down, in 2023, she has elevated to a role on the Mid South East Netball Association executive, is coaching A, A Reserve and Junior 1, as well as umpiring and mentoring new umpires.

She is treasurer of the Saints, the sponsorship officer and in charge of apparel for the football and netball club.

With all this on her plate she still manages to raise a young family, now taking her kids to sporting commitments and working full time. She is always willing to help anyone out where she can and always gives 110% on and off the court, remains positive and encourages others.