Netball milestone nearing

Northern Suburbs Netball Club Michelle Harvey (left) with her netballing brood Meegan Taylor, granddaughter Taylah Davies, daughter Dana Davies, Kerrin Sargent-Wilson and granddaughter Maddie Taylor.

NORTHERN Districts Netball Club is preparing to celebrate its rich history with a 30th anniversary reunion at Thirroul Bowling, Leagues and Recreation Club on Saturday, September 22.

One guest at the reunion will be Michelle Harvey, who founded the club in 1977.

Michelle’s history with the club stretches across three generations as her daughters all played for the club and a granddaughter, Taylah Davies, played with the club until recently. Another granddaughter Morgan Davies, plays for Illawarra and another granddaughter, Maddie Taper, plays for Gymea in the Sutherland competition.

Michelle’s daughters Dana Davies, Meegan Taper and Kerrin Sargent-Wilson all played for Norths and went onto representative honours.

In those days, netball was life for the Harvey clan.

“For a while we all lived, breathed, slept, ate and drank netball,” Michelle said.

Michelle at one stage coached four teams as well as being a coaching coordinator at the Illawarra Academy of Sport.

The high-water mark for the club as an onfield outfit was back-to-back A grade premierships in the 1980s.

Northern Districts Netball Club was founded in 1977 with ten teams, the minimum requirement for a stand-alone club at the time.

Northern Districts’ two senior and eight girls’ teams trained at St James Park, Coledale, Michelle said.

“Woonona Netball Club encouraged me to start my own club and donated $150 to uniforms,” Michelle said.

“They were terrific, the club wouldn’t have happened without their assistance.

“Coledale leagues, Northern Suburbs leagues and Coledale Soccer Club helped us succeed.

“It was definitely a community-based club – in those days we had a great deal of support.”

Michelle, who was the club’s president from its inception until 1985 and treasurer Jenette Robertson were the club’s first life members.

Liz Humphreys, Toni Oswald and Cheryl McLean have since been made life members.

“A lot of people have put in a lot of effort to keep the club going and make it as successful as it is today,” Michelle said.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by phoning Sue on 0431 066 092, Stella on 0431 944 610, Leonie on 0421 376 019 or Donna or 0421 792 999. Guests should arrive 6.30pm for 7pm.