Family oriented netball
Poowong Netball Club's A grade side currently sits at number two on the ladder.
Poowong's netball sides, particularly their A grade side, have enjoyed success over a long period of time. Poowong netball sides almost always make finals.
They are consistently in the top two or three netball sides in the league.
Karina Proctor coaches Poowong's A grade netball side. She is a relative newcomer to the club and sings the praises of her new home. "It's a really family-oriented club," she says. "The fact we're a small country town means all just bond and work hard."
It has not been easy to take up the coaching role with such a successful team. But she says players' willingness to try new things has been a huge help.
A $200,000 project to upgrade Poowong's bottom netball courts is currently underway. Work was orginally scheduled to begin early this year, but several delays mean it will not be started until after Christmas.
It is one of the first major projects undertaken by the club that have been thanks to shire and government funding. Up until now, the majority of improvements to the club and to the grounds have been paid for by community fundraising.
The $200,000 project is still partly funded by community groups. The Poowong Football Netball Club, the Poowong Recreation Reserve and the local tennis club have contributed a combined $50,000 of that $200,000. The courts in question are dual-purpose and are also used by the tennis club. A large portion of that is thanks to the Poowong Football Netball Club.
Club legend Julie Henshall played her 500th game earlier this month. As a junior, she played 93 games over seven seasons.
She began her A grade career in 1994 winning six premierships and two club best and fairest awards. She retired from A grade competition in 2013 but still plays in Poowong's B grade side.
At B grade level, she has won a premiership, three club best and fairest awards and a league best and fairest award.
She is a Poowong life member and has contributed in the roles of club secretary, coach and umpire. She also held a position on the EDNA executive for nine years.