Life Member Stories
Jenny Block
After beginning my netball journey at age 15 at Fairpark, I soon switched over to Gully to play with my best friend. During my first year of University in Ballarat, I continued driving home each weekend for my Ferntree Gully game. After a few years playing in Ballarat I returned home, and played in various FTG open teams with the same 5 players, who to this day I keep in contact with. A memorable moment was the season when I came back to play exactly 6 weeks after giving birth to my second daughter. I remember having the third quarter off one game and breastfeeding on the sidelines. I won B&F that year - maybe the umpires couldn’t believe it. But when I say my kids have grown up on the sidelines they literally have!
I remember training on the asphalt courts at Wally Tew. They were so rough you avoided falling over at all costs. Back then the uniforms were a white polo and blue skirt. You always judged your opponent by the number of badges on their skirt. It didn’t matter if it was a patch for Best Conducted Team or a premiership - it was a sign of pride. Too bad I didn’t know how to sew!
I joined the committee when my eldest Maddie started playing. I wished to give back to the club, set a good example for my children and help out. I was too nervous to coach her first season, but the following year I mustered up the courage to return to coaching. Everyone I meet at Gully influences me in some way, but having Hayley Mettes come into the Head Coach role and mentor me to take on the Head Coach position for Mods/11’s and take higher level teams has been impactful.
The AGM where I took over as Vice President was another interesting night. I had gone promising my husband I would just continue with uniforms. It was only when the husband of the old Vice President came to our house that Nathan found out the truth… a good week later! Let’s just say he was a little surprised. Each year we are faced with new and old challenges, from teams training individually and only having one third of a court to use before we moved to squad training, to trying to keep players enthusiasm for netball during COVID-19 Pandemic.
To those who think they’re not good enough or not fit enough, I’m living proof that it doesn’t matter. I only started playing A Reserve in my late 30’s having previously played in low open divisions. The club gave me an opportunity that I am so grateful for. It doesn’t matter what level you play - take the opportunity and just enjoy it! Gully has given me many opportunities and allowed me to meet many people who I’m lucky enough to call my friends.
I remember training on the asphalt courts at Wally Tew. They were so rough you avoided falling over at all costs. Back then the uniforms were a white polo and blue skirt. You always judged your opponent by the number of badges on their skirt. It didn’t matter if it was a patch for Best Conducted Team or a premiership - it was a sign of pride. Too bad I didn’t know how to sew!
I joined the committee when my eldest Maddie started playing. I wished to give back to the club, set a good example for my children and help out. I was too nervous to coach her first season, but the following year I mustered up the courage to return to coaching. Everyone I meet at Gully influences me in some way, but having Hayley Mettes come into the Head Coach role and mentor me to take on the Head Coach position for Mods/11’s and take higher level teams has been impactful.
The AGM where I took over as Vice President was another interesting night. I had gone promising my husband I would just continue with uniforms. It was only when the husband of the old Vice President came to our house that Nathan found out the truth… a good week later! Let’s just say he was a little surprised. Each year we are faced with new and old challenges, from teams training individually and only having one third of a court to use before we moved to squad training, to trying to keep players enthusiasm for netball during COVID-19 Pandemic.
To those who think they’re not good enough or not fit enough, I’m living proof that it doesn’t matter. I only started playing A Reserve in my late 30’s having previously played in low open divisions. The club gave me an opportunity that I am so grateful for. It doesn’t matter what level you play - take the opportunity and just enjoy it! Gully has given me many opportunities and allowed me to meet many people who I’m lucky enough to call my friends.