Sport
28 July, 2022
Avoca celebrate milestone for club stalwart
Fresh off Avoca celebrating Col Soulsby’s 400th game three weeks ago, the Bulldogs are in celebration mode again for this week’s clash with Navarre when Lucy Walkley brings up her own 400th game milestone. Walkley, who started playing for Avoc...
Fresh off Avoca celebrating Col Soulsby’s 400th game three weeks ago, the Bulldogs are in celebration mode again for this week’s clash with Navarre when Lucy Walkley brings up her own 400th game milestone.
Walkley, who started playing for Avoca in 1999, has won multiple best and fairest awards at both club and league level, and is a life member with the Bulldogs through her work as a player, coach and committee member.
Walkley says her favourite memories in netball is the camaraderie that she enjoys at the club.
“I think playing with friends over the years has been my favourite memory. In a small country town, you get to play with the same girls over and over again and we’ve built great camaraderie. I got to play with Colleen Drummond and now her daughter Caitlin, which has been a nice thing to do,” she said.
“I’ve been extremely lucky with the teams I’ve played in.”
When it comes to putting her hand up for roles around the club, Walkley notes the passion shown around the community as a driving force.
“The club cannot go without volunteers, and I think it takes people that are passionate about their club and community. I see what the community does for people, not only just playing sport, it’s about having friends and somewhere to meet. There’s more than just playing netball and football,” she said.
Despite Avoca remaining unbeaten in A grade, Walkley remains convinced that the true scope of contenders won’t be revealed until finals come around.
“This year, we don’t know who is the best side with COVID, we probably haven’t played all the strongest teams yet, and we’ve only just started to put our best team on the court over the last few weeks and having some continuity,” she said.
As for Walkley’s future plans, she wants to continue to be a leader for her two young children.
“I’ll just keep playing. I’ve just had two children in the last two years, so I’ll keep playing and showing them the way, showing them how fitness is key to being healthy. I love the club and I’ll keep being involved, whether it’s playing A grade or coaching and developing the juniors to make sure that we have a club going forward,” she said.
The Bulldogs host Navarre at Avoca Public Park on Saturday as the club looks to remain at the summit of the A grade ladder.