Dedicated Tiger receives life membership

A REVERED figure within the Torquay Netball Club has been recognised with the club’s highest honour.

Four-time premiership Tiger and eight-time A Grade club best and fairest Anna Carty has been awarded life membership following more than a quarter-century of service at Spring Creek Reserve.

Carty was honoured for her contributions at this month’s senior netball presentation in front of friends and family, with the membership presented by long-time friends Meagan Mifsud and Robyn Austin.

Austin praised Carty for her commitment to the club over the years, as both a player, coach and club member.

“Anna’s commitment to the club equates to a commitment to her friends. It’s not just the social functions at the club that she is present for, but friendships have been formed where we get to celebrate life events together with many in this room,” Austin said.

“There are birthdays, children’s birthdays, weddings; hens days, travelling to name a few. So for Anna, and a whole lot of us, it’s a whole lot more than just playing netball.”

Anna Carty after receiving Life Membership with her daughters Poppy, Lola and Frankie. Photos: SUPPLIED

Carty is one of only a few Torquay netballers to be a part of three Bellarine Netball League A Grade premierships.

Solidifying her appointment to life membership is Carty’s games total, which is calculated at 124 junior games and 245 senior games for a total of 369 club matches.

Carty also gave birth to her three children during her time at the club, welcoming Poppy, Lola and Frankie to the Tigers family from 2019 to 2023.

Mifsud said it may have shocked some people that Carty was not already a life member.

“It is an absolute pleasure for us to induct a well deserving life member to our netball club this year.

“To some, it may come as a surprise that she already isn’t a life member, perhaps why she slipped through the cracks.

“What we know for certain is that she is so qualified to be inducted.”

Both presenters touched on Carty’s mother Jo, who brought Anna to the club in 1999 and has provided an abundance of support to her daughter and the club over the years.