If you were to ask any community netball club how best to describe the ideal player to have around your club you would get a raft of answers.
They would need to be loyal, dedicated, a team player and committed to helping the club through good and bad times.
Barooga netballer Kristie Primmer embodies all of those things and then some.
The C-grade defender will line-up in game 400 on Saturday as her beloved Hawks play host to Mulwala in an important top four clash.
Primmer is a Barooga A-grade coach, multiple time best-and-fairest winner and a life member.
Ahead of game 400, Primmer spoke about why she’s continued to front up for the Hawks every weekend for the best part of 20 years.
“The premiership in under-18s is the most obvious one, but the major highlight for me is when the club awarded me life membership in 2021,” she said.
“It was a big surprise and I was very humbled that they consider me in that light. I love the club and I love netball ... my life revolves around work and netball on weekends.
“I love the game; as hard as losing is I would rather go out and play because that’s what I love doing.’’
Primmer has been a mainstay at the Hawks since she began her netball journey as a 14-year-old in 1995.
A few years away at university and a year away at Blighty, when the Hawks didn’t field an A-grade side, are the only times Primmer hasn’t donned the gold and maroon dress.
“I spent one year at Blighty, when Barooga didn’t field an A-grade side, and then I had a few friends approach me who asked me to come back and coach,” she said.
“Barooga hasn’t had a lot of success and it’s hard to attract and retain players, it’s been really challenging for the club.”
Success in A-grade may have escaped her, but her recent foray in C-grade has come with finals appearances and the Hawks look destined to once again play into September.
Primmer is hoping she can end on a high, not to suggest she is looking at retirement, but a scheduled post-season operation on her hip may hold her back from pressing on playing the sport she loves.
“We sit third on the ladder at the moment, Moama and Tongala look hard to catch, but this weekend is a really important game against Mulwala who are fourth,” Primmer said.
“This is a game we need to win if we want to lock in third spot.
“I’ve got a bit of a hip issue and I’m having surgery after the season ... I’m not sure if I will be back playing, I hope so, but we’ll see what they say.
“I’d never given it much thought (playing 400 games), but I’m glad it’s come around.”
In other district netball highlights, a huge top-of-the-table clash awaits in Kyabram District League.
Shepparton East plays host to Dookie United in a bout that puts the only two unbeaten sides up against one another.