Sport
14 September, 2023
Bagley brings up game 600 in Newstead prelim
A rich family name with a great heritage in the wider Castlemaine district was made even richer on the weekend, when Maree Bagley brought up her 600th game of netball in Newstead’s C grade preliminary final. Bagley’s career has seen her...
A rich family name with a great heritage in the wider Castlemaine district was made even richer on the weekend, when Maree Bagley brought up her 600th game of netball in Newstead’s C grade preliminary final.
Bagley’s career has seen her participate at three separate clubs, at her beloved Kangaroos, Har-court and also at Castlemaine in the Bendigo Football Netball League, where she played over 150 of her 600 games.
Yet Bagley is so much more than just a netball veteran. She is also an elite umpire, who loves to help out the Kangaroos’ junior and senior umpire by training them, and has plenty of experience in that facet as well.
Indeed, Bagley has been around the sport for as long as the competition has been played — playing the first league game in 1986.
Bagley is also a recipient of multiple league and club best and fairests, as well as a past premiership winner.
Her family is still heavily involved in sport, with son Kris recently coaching Campbells Creek.
While it wasn’t quite the Kangaroos’ day, going down by one goal to Trentham in a hard-fought preliminary final, the accolades still went to Bagley.
“It’s good to have a lot of support. I had a lot of family here to support me as well, and the little ones are playing in a grand final next week as well, so I’ll be able to watch the grandkids play off,” she said.
What seemed to be Bagley’s greatest secret to her longevity in the game? She, herself, seemed to offer up a hint.
“I think the biggest secret is not getting injured,” she said.
The Bagley family have the attitude of ensuring they can help out where they can, according to Maree.
“My family love to help. Kris, for example, did a great job with Campbells Creek, and it was hard for him to leave the rest of us at Newstead,” she said.
And from 600 games of experience, Bagley is well-positioned to talk about her greatest rivals, stories and opponents.
The fearful Royal Park team that won seven premierships in 10 years, including the 2002 premiership over Newstead, is one that stands out to Bagley.
“I would say we had quite a tussle with Royal Park a fair bit over the years. Every club is great to play against,” she said.
Incredibly, she plans to keep on playing the sport.
“Being able to continue playing netball is really good. I think I’ll keep going, the only thing that might stop me is a bit of holidaying,” Bagley said.