NETBALL MILESTONE

19 Apr 2018 by Zara Pearson

LISA DRYSDALE 100 GV GAMES
In her own words, Lisa Drysdale “wasn’t much of a netballer”. She spent majority of her junior years on the bench, rubbing her knobbly knees, putting ‘grippo’ on her butterfingers and wishing she was taller. It wasn’t until Year 11 that she grew to her current frame and started to show signs of talent. Her height was finally an asset and her fitness landed her the role of C on many occasions.

This week marks Drysie’s 100 game milestone for the number of games she has played in the Goulburn Valley League. However, her netball resume spans over 3 decades. 30 years of netball is a massive achievement in itself – and she is showing no signs of hanging up the Asics any time soon!

Drysie began her netball career at the tender age of 8 in Girgarre, moved into the Kyabram Association for two years, a year later, then played in the KDL for 3 years. She had a brief stint at Moama in 2001 then moved into the Goulburn Valley League playing for Tongala for four years, initially under Adam Sloan, then Di Hanslowe for her final two years before Tongala moved out of the league. In 2006, Drysie joined the ranks at Echuca United and a year later left the state and began playing netball in Cairns. After two years in Cairns, Drysie was instrumental in creating a netball club to be affiliated with the Cairns Saints Football Club – and she was just as instrumental in their success. They played in 6 Grand Finals, six years in a row and won three. Upon her return to Victoria, and Echuca, she returned to Echuca United and was part of both the 2015 and 2016 A Grade premiership sides. In 2017, she set her sights on returning to the GV with Echuca in order to challenge herself, and play the best netball she could. She has played a pivotal role, both on and off the court, at the Murray Bombers, in her short time there.

Apart from her junior stints, from about 17 years old, Drysie has played the bulk of her career in A grade, primarily as a goaler (after Adam Sloan converted her from a defender in 2002). Fun fact: she also timed her pregnancies perfectly, so she missed preseason, delivered before the season began and was ready to play Round 1 – well played, Drysie! She’s played 8 years in various State League teams, made interleague sides, tried her hand at coaching for a number of years and even played in the Australian Mixed Netball team in Fiji in 2006. Her trophy cabinet is almost as impressive as her collection of sneakers; boasting league medals, countless best and fairests, a couple of BOGs in Grand Finals and premiership flags galore.

From humble beginnings, Drysie has become “much more” than a netballer. She’s committed, competitive, clearly talented and a warm and wonderful club person.

Happy 100 GV Games!

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