Join the celebration as central netball association turns 100

GEELONG Central Netball Association will mark its 100th year on October 13 with a celebration for the ages set to be held at Provenance Wines in Fyansford.

The venue is fitting given the association’s origins; starting in the 1920s when women’s basketball was played at the woollen mills, offering an opportunity for exercise and social engagement particularly for the English women brought out to use the machines.

Mill managers drew courts on the ground and games were played mainly at lunchtime.

By the 1930s, more and more girls were wanting to play and two gravel courts were laid at Kardinia Park, on land previously occupied by a zoo and lily ponds.

In the 1950s, more courts were laid at Kardinia Park in the present location and summer basketball was introduced due to its popularity. In 1958, the first court lights were installed to allow night games and the 1970s saw many changes for both players and umpires, including the disappearance of the word ‘basketball’ which was replaced with ‘netball’, as well as the first televised matches in 1979.

Also in the late ’70s, a young Simone McKinnis began playing netball at Kardinia Park under the watchful eye of Barb Gillett, a former Victorian Open team member, and in the 1980s her career really took off. Playing for the very strong Melbourne Blues Club, Simone was first selected in the Victorian state team in 1985 and after being a member of the Victorian Open side since 1985, Simone was then named captain in 1992 and 1993. She is widely regarded as the greatest Australian wing defence of all time and will hopefully – if her schedule allows – be at the 100 Year Celebration event, on a Q&A panel.

The 1990s saw Janette Davis and Nicole Marshall both named in the Victorian U21 team, with stalwart Holly Carew – who celebrates her 100th birthday this year – awarded a VNA Distinction Award for services to netball in 1991. Netball at Kardinia Park proved as popular as ever, with the Elizabeth Hindell Memorial Pavilion finally receiving an upgrade, and both Geelong Unity and Geelong Netball Association running six courts each on most nights of the week from February to December each year.

Today, the Geelong Central Netball Association offers programs and competitions for NetSetGo, minis, juniors, boys under-12s and under-14s, seniors, mixed, walking netball and all abilities, with more than 400 registered players and all still based at Kardinia Park.

Further details of the official 100 Year Celebration will be announced via the association’s social media channels over the coming months. Those keen to attend should mark October 13 at Provenance Wines in their diaries. Attendees can expect an afternoon filled with history, stories and memorabilia plus an exciting panel of speakers.

For more information, to be added to the invite list, or to share any memorabilia or stories in the leadup to the event, email [email protected]

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