Congratulations to St Mary’s 1 on an incredible summer netball season! Our team spent most of the season sitting proudly at the top of the ladder, and made it all the way to the Grand Final.
Although things didn’t go our way on the day, making it to the grand final is still an amazing achievement. With two key players unavailable, the odds were certainly stacked against us. But despite the challenges, every player gave their all and fought hard until the very end.
A special mention to our captain, Clare Nicholls, who had a standout season, taking home the Division 3 Best & Fairest as well as being named Best on Ground in the Grand Final.
It was also amazing to see the support from family, friends, fellow netball players, the women’s footy team, and our Committee at the game.
Here’s to even more success in the seasons to come!
As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, we embrace the theme “March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls,” which calls for bold actions to unlock equal rights and opportunities for every woman and girl, with a special focus on empowering the next generation as catalysts for change.
Reflecting on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, we take a moment to recognise the strides made in the pursuit of gender equality. However, despite significant progress, the promises for gender equality remain unfulfilled—particularly in sports.
In 2025, women are still underrepresented and undervalued in the sporting world. Recent reports have shown that not a single woman is named in the top 100 highest-paid athletes globally, highlighting the stark disparity that remains.
On a more local level, research from Change Our Game reveals some hard truths:
Only 15% of sports coverage focuses on women’s sports, while a staggering 81% is dedicated to men’s.
Just 3 in 10 coaches that children encounter are women, meaning young athletes are far more likely to identify men as coaches or officials.
Although there is strong support for more women to volunteer in sports, negative attitudes persist, particularly from older men. Women are still rarely seen in leadership roles, such as club president or coach of men’s teams.
At St Mary’s, we are proud of the steps we’ve taken to create more opportunities for women and girls in sport. In late 2024, we launched our very first junior 15&U netball team. This marks a significant milestone for us, as we open new pathways for young girls to get involved in sport, advance to higher levels in netball, play in representative teams, and even consider a future career in sport.
By building this junior program, we are ensuring that St Mary’s has a sustainable women’s netball program that will continue to support and uplift women and girls in sport for years to come.
Today, we celebrate the achievements of women in sport, but we also recognise that there is much more work to be done. It’s time for all of us at St Mary’s to continue to step up—whether as athletes, coaches, or volunteers. Together, we can continue to move forward, unlocking the full potential of women and girls in every field of play.
A massive congratulations to St Mary’s 1 for making it to the Division 3 Netball Grand Final! It was a nail-biting match, but they powered through and secured a 3-goal victory over Laurimar 1. Their hard work and determination have been evident all season, as they’ve stayed at the top of the ladder for most of it.
But that’s not all! A big shout-out to our inaugural 15&U netball team, who won their first final! The semi-final was a tough mental battle, but the girls showed incredible resilience, sportsmanship, and respect throughout.
While they’re heading into the preliminary final next, we’re keeping our fingers crossed for them to make it to the grand final as well!
Are you a strong, competitive netball player looking for a new challenge? We’re currently on the lookout for talented players, preferably mid-court or goals, to join our teams for the Friday night competition in the Northern Football Netball League (NFNL) – Division 5 and up level (division dependent on grading).
With a few spots left, now’s the time to secure your place! We also have a few places in a lower division team for less experienced players.
Why Join Our Club?
Uniforms provided: No cost to you! We believe in supporting our players from head to toe.
No compulsory training: Flexibility for those with busy schedules.
Great community: Our team isn’t just about netball; it’s about building lasting friendships. Enjoy team dinners, trivia nights, and a supportive club atmosphere.
Best on Ground vouchers: Each match, we recognise our standout players with vouchers to local businesses. Currently, our sponsor is Jaga Jaga—treat yourself after a hard-fought game!
Contact us today and let us know a bit about you and your netball experience.
They helped out with activities including the agility run, 20m sprint, and longest kick.
It’s fantastic to see our senior players giving back and supporting the next generation of talent. Their involvement plays a crucial role in building a strong future for St Mary’s and inspiring young players to reach their full potential.
A huge shoutout to the following players for their time:
At St Mary’s, we want to offer a place where local players can keep their footy journey going, surrounded by the community they know and the friends they’ve grown up with. We believe the transition from juniors to seniors should feel like a natural step—where players can continue to develop, have fun, and play with teammates who have been by their side for years.
A perfect example of this is our senior women’s team. Last year, a group of talented women—many of whom came through St Mary’s juniors—won the Division 1 premiership.
We’ve seen it before, too. Back in 2014, our U19s made history by winning the club’s first-ever premiership. What’s even more special about that achievement? Of the 42 players in that team, 37 came up together from the Colts at our junior club. It’s proof that when players grow and develop together, they’re ready to take on whatever challenges senior footy brings.
We can’t wait to support more players from St Mary’s Junior Football Club make their mark in senior footy.
Players who recently moved from St Mary’s Junior Club to Senior Club celebrating their Division 1 Premiership
Looking to get your business in front of a local, engaged audience? St Mary’s Football Club is offering an exciting sponsorship opportunity for just $500 per year.
By becoming a sponsor, you’ll not only gain exposure to hundreds of fans, players, and families, but you’ll also play a part in supporting a local, not-for-profit sporting club who make a real difference in our community.
What’s included:
Signage: Your business will be prominently displayed at Whatmough Park Greensborough.
Social media exposure: We’ll promote your business on our Instagram (1.5k followers) and Facebook (1.7k followers), putting your brand in front of our growing, engaged audience.
Attend a sponsor event: Meet and connect with other local business owners over some complimentary food and drinks.
Merchandise: Get your hands on some club merch to proudly support St Mary’s on game day.
If you’re interested in offering even more support, we have a variety of sponsorship packages that can be tailored to suit your needs. Just reach out, and we’ll be happy to discuss options with you!
The 2025 season is officially underway at St Mary’s!
This week, the summer netball season recommences with St Mary’s 2 & 3 hitting the court at Community Bank Stadium on Friday night. Meanwhile, St Mary’s 1, currently sitting on top of the ladder, along with the 15&U team who have done some solid off season training, will be back in action next week.
Not to be outdone, pre-season for footy is also getting started this week, setting us up for a great year ahead on the field.
Congratulations to 15&U team – Jo Denton, Lily Cavello, and Lilyana Condon – have been selected for the NFNL 15/U Representative Squad! This is an incredible achievement and a testament to the talent and hard work within this group.
It’s not just a win for them, but for the entire team and club, showcasing the promise of our 15&Us and the great talent we have coming through to our senior program.
In May and June, these players will take part in the 2025 Netball Victoria Association Championships, which has been first stepping stone for so many netballers who have since gone on to play for the Melbourne Vixens or even the Australian Diamonds.
Make sure to come down and watch all of our amazing 15&U players in action on Wednesday evenings starting 5February!
