Sport
18 July, 2025
Milestones for dedicated Magpies
SEASON 2025 will always hold a special place in the lives of Camperdown couple and dedicated Magpies members, Tim and Caitlyn Fitzgerald.
The Fitzgerald name has become synonymous with the Camperdown Football Netball Club – a place that has become like a second home for the family.
And this season they are both ‘turning 100’ - celebrating 100 games in their respective sports, in their black and white stripes.
At the start of season 2025, Caitlyn had already notched up 190 games for the Camperdown club (combining junior and senior appearances), including 94 division two games.
She recently played her 100th match in division two.
Caitlyn’s involvement with the Magpies dates back to 2001 when she made her debut in the club’s 15 and under reserves team under coach Maureen Crameri.
She cemented herself in the 17 and under side in seasons 2002 and 2003 and, under coach Bernadette Sinnott, celebrated back-to-back Tracey Sheahan Memorial awards for most determined.
Caitlyn took to the court with the senior B grade side in 2005 and after a successful year, finished runners-up to Warrnambool.
The B grade competition became A2 in 2007 (which then evolved into division two in 2016).
Among her long list of credits, Caitlyn claimed a coaches award in 2022, coached division two in 2023, finished runner-up in the club’s best and fairest count in 2024 and, this season, took on the role of joint netball coordinator with Jocelyn Fitzgerald.
“Both Tim and I have a long involvement with the Camperdown club and we really wanted our kids to grow up in that environment too,” Caitlyn said.
“It’s a great family club; everyone really looks after each other and there’s a lot of support both on and off the court and field.
“With three kids under 12 that’s important to us. This year we have one in development netball and one enjoying Auskick so it really is a family affair for us; we spend a lot of time at the club but we all really enjoy it.”
Running out on to Leura Oval for his team’s July 12 clash against Port Fairy, Tim Fitzgerald celebrated his 100th reserve game for the Magpies – and has played more than 200 in total for the club.
Fitzgerald’s long history with the Magpies dates pre-season 2000 when he moved from Sunday juniors to the under 18s (where his team, under coach Mark Sinnott, finished sixth on the Hampden League ladder).
The following season he again played in the under 18s before progressing to senior footy in 2002.
Over the years Fitzgerald has appeared in both the senior and reserve sides at various times, including a 2003 senior grand final appearance against Koroit.
He had a brief spell away from the club, in season 2005 when he journeyed to Noorat to play for the Power, before returning to the Magpies in 2006.
He enjoyed a second stint at the Power in seasons 2007/08 before the family moved to WA for around 10 years.
Returning home in 2019, Fitzgerald re-acquainted himself with the Magpies and under joint coaches Jack Williams and Neville Swayn he made 15 senior appearances and played one game in the reserves.
After two COVID-interrupted seasons, Fitzgerald took on a reserves’ coaching role in 2021 (the year he also claimed the club’s best and fairest award) and two years later was awarded the Lachie Stephenson Memorial Award.
According to those at the club, Tim Fitzgerald has been a “consistent contributor, both on and off the field, over an extended period of time.”
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