250 for ‘Kaz’

By Lachlan Ellis

A 250-gamer for the Bacchus Marsh Cobras says she never planned to play so many games of netball, but a love of the club and the game has kept her going.

Karen Pawlowicz played her 250th game in the red, yellow and black on Saturday 27 May, with the D Grade Cobras side getting the job done 28 – 27 against Sunbury.

Ms Pawlowicz said it was an honour and a surprise to see so many people come out to celebrate the milestone.

“250 games, or any milestone for that matter, was never something I set out to do. I play netball because I love the game and love spending time with other people who love it too. I was nervous but quietly excited to be sharing the day with my family, friends and so many people from the Cobra family, but trying to keep it under wraps and treat the game like any other game. Also, I think a little amazed and a little overwhelmed that so many people took the time to come and acknowledge the milestone and/or watch the game,” she told the Moorabool News.

Ms Pawlowicz has been playing netball with the Cobras since about 2005, but has also umpired one or two games a week at senior level, and has also spent years coaching.

“When you join the Cobras, you become part of the Cobra family. Our children spent a lot of Saturdays and then Sundays (when they began to play) at Maddingley Park. They were very lucky to have so many Cobra Mums, Cobra Aunties and Cobra big sisters. As they grew older, they have made many lifelong friends within the club, as have Frank and I,” she said.

“Being involved with and playing netball is one of my happy places. What more could I wish for on a Saturday, except to play the game I love with my Cobra family?”

And as you’d expect a member of the 2013 premiership side to say, that great victory is her favourite memory of her netball career.

“To have worked together all season with a group of teammates and to have it all come together in the way you hoped to achieve that premiership goal is pure magic,” she said.