In 1978 netball dresses laced up at the front and were a little more "potato-sackish" than the current styles.
The pool of players from which Queenscliff could draw upon was a lot smaller than today’s talent offering and the likelihood of our small club winning an A-Grade premiership was, well, pretty slim.
Nevertheless, that’s just what happened and this month, past players, supporters and the wider community is invited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the unlikely win.
The team, coached by Barb Moloney went in to the clash against Leopold as slight underdogs, but came away four goal winners. During the season the two sides met three times, for a draw and a win each.
“They had a huge number of players from Geelong comps that flooded into their club,” recalls Doreen Bramwell, the team’s centre player. “Many of them had played at a very elite level and we were just home-grown Coutas girls, with the exception of Coral Hammond who came to us from Geelong.
“Our coach was a calm and a clever influence on us all. Very fair but always expected the best from us all,” Doreen said.
It was the last time, and possibly the only time, the club tasted A-Grade glory, according to fellow team member Sue Orvis.
“I believe it’s the only one we’ve won, but I could be wrong. There might have been one before but I haven’t heard of one since,” she said.
While Sue doesn’t remember much about the game, she does remember the party at the Bowling Club afterwards.
The Saturday August 4 reunion will commence at 1pm and include a gathering at the netball courts to watch our current A-Graders in action and a President’s luncheon, followed by a celebration.
“I don’t want it to be just a ladies day or just for that group I’ve girls,” said Sue, who is also organising the event. “I want it to be for everyone, I want it to be netball through the ages and anyone else who wants to come. I want supporters, coaches, committee, I’m trying to get in touch with as many people as I can.
“I hope all the girls are coming, we’re working on it.”
Pictured from L to R: Leanne Baillieu (Neville), Coral Hammond, Doreen Bramwell, Sue Orvis (Briggs), Jenny Oakley (Shapter), Bev Young (Barrett), Gail Renzenbrink (Main), Robyn Birrell (Hewitt), Margaret Giddings (Sullivan) and Coach Barb Moloney.
The pool of players from which Queenscliff could draw upon was a lot smaller than today’s talent offering and the likelihood of our small club winning an A-Grade premiership was, well, pretty slim.
Nevertheless, that’s just what happened and this month, past players, supporters and the wider community is invited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the unlikely win.
The team, coached by Barb Moloney went in to the clash against Leopold as slight underdogs, but came away four goal winners. During the season the two sides met three times, for a draw and a win each.
“They had a huge number of players from Geelong comps that flooded into their club,” recalls Doreen Bramwell, the team’s centre player. “Many of them had played at a very elite level and we were just home-grown Coutas girls, with the exception of Coral Hammond who came to us from Geelong.
“Our coach was a calm and a clever influence on us all. Very fair but always expected the best from us all,” Doreen said.
It was the last time, and possibly the only time, the club tasted A-Grade glory, according to fellow team member Sue Orvis.
“I believe it’s the only one we’ve won, but I could be wrong. There might have been one before but I haven’t heard of one since,” she said.
While Sue doesn’t remember much about the game, she does remember the party at the Bowling Club afterwards.
The Saturday August 4 reunion will commence at 1pm and include a gathering at the netball courts to watch our current A-Graders in action and a President’s luncheon, followed by a celebration.
“I don’t want it to be just a ladies day or just for that group I’ve girls,” said Sue, who is also organising the event. “I want it to be for everyone, I want it to be netball through the ages and anyone else who wants to come. I want supporters, coaches, committee, I’m trying to get in touch with as many people as I can.
“I hope all the girls are coming, we’re working on it.”
Pictured from L to R: Leanne Baillieu (Neville), Coral Hammond, Doreen Bramwell, Sue Orvis (Briggs), Jenny Oakley (Shapter), Bev Young (Barrett), Gail Renzenbrink (Main), Robyn Birrell (Hewitt), Margaret Giddings (Sullivan) and Coach Barb Moloney.