Pittwater LIfe December 2019 Issue

for all ages,” says Kylie. “I
started when I was seven
and I’m still playing at 43. I
played competitively from
11 to 21, then played socially
after that with groups of
friends. I even had a stint of
playing mixed netball for a
few years where myself and
three friends enticed our
husbands to play.”
“You are never too old to
play,” Kylie continues. “In
2017 and 2018, I went back
to reps again and played
State Champs in the Masters
division.”
Pittwater Peninsula Netball
Club clearly caters for all
their needs. One of Manly
Warringah’s oldest clubs, it
was formed 47 years ago by
Aileen Brodigan, as there
wasn’t a team at Avalon’s
Maria Regina school for her
kids to play in.
The club, which trains
indoors in Avalon and
Narrabeen, always has
around 50 teams across all
ages and skills. It means
around 500 players are
representing Peninsula at
any one time. And they’re
pretty successful: 23 teams
made it into the 2019 final
series and nine played in
Grand Finals.
“It doesn’t matter whether
players are in A grade or
G grade, the enjoyment is
just the same,” says Margi.
“I watched the 10As and the
10Gs in their Grand Finals
last year, and the skill levels
were different, but the
feeling was just the same.”
“Because Peninsula is a
larger club, there is more
opportunity for grading,”
says Margi. “The numerous
teams per grade means
you play at an appropriate
level, which is good for selfesteem.”
There are also pathways
to rep teams and the ability
to become an umpire or a
coach. The enjoyment that
has kept Margi in the sport
for over 50 years is very
simple though.
“I love to see the players
laughing and learning in a
fun way, and looking forward
for the following season to
start,” she says. – Rob Pegley
* Online registrations
from January 1; visit
peninsulanetball.org.au
Commodores’ 50 years
To mark its 50th anniversary in 2019, Mona Vale Commodores
Netball Club is proud to announce the launch
the Netball NSW ‘EmpowerPlay’ Program for the upcoming
2020 season, aimed at building self-confidence, resilience
and self-awareness for young players aged 10-13 years.
With registrations for the winter competition commencing
on January 1, club Vice President Jen Fitzpatrick
said the Commodores – a sub-club of Pittwater RSL and
affiliated with the Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club – was
the club to join if you lived in Mona Vale or its immediate
surrounds.
“We are a small, family friendly club where all abilities
and levels, from NetSetGo to Seniors, are catered for and
nurtured,” said Jen. “We have a passionate Committee who
are dedicated to providing a friendly environment where
players are encouraged to have fun, make new friends and
develop their skills.”
Part of the Manly Warringah Netball Association, Mona
Vale Commodores play at John Fisher Park at Curl Curl
on Saturdays from April to August. Also, the club runs
8-week NetSetGo skills sessions during the year for
children aged 5-8 years (conveniently held at Emma Street
Courts behind Mona Vale Public School).
“We are the Mona Vale Netball Club, so if you live in
Mona Vale we’d love to have you join our local Club and
wear the red, blue and white!”
A 2020 Registration and Information Day will be held
at Mona Vale Surf Club on Sunday February 2 from
9-12pm. Online registrations (from January 1) at Monavale.nsw.netball.com.au.
More info on the website or
call Jen on 0414 017 761.
– NW
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2019 11