General News
10 May, 2022
Tiger celebrates 200th
SIMPSON Football Netball Club celebrated more than just a win over Colac on the weekend when Tigers co-coach Jessie Hawkins took to the court for her 200th club game.
SIMPSON Football Netball Club celebrated more than just a win over Colac on the weekend when Tigers co-coach Jessie Hawkins took to the court for her 200th club game.
The loyal Tiger more than earned her stipes as the newest life member after spending her entire junior and senior netball career in the black and yellow.
Hawkins said it was a “special moment” to wear the colours for the 200th time.
“It was quite a big achievement which I probably don’t realise,” she said.
“I think I might understand it more at the end of the season or once I’ve finished playing, but it’s been a little while in the making and I got there in the end after a few lost COVID seasons and a couple of babies.”
During her years she has served as player, coach, umpire, umpire co-ordinator and committee member before her latest achievement cements her legacy as a Simpson Tigers life member.
While the club celebrated what she has given to it, Hawkins feels she has got back as much as she has put in for a club which means “everything” to her.
“Simpson is a massive family and friends oriented club,” she said.
“That’s where I’ve built my closest friendships, from when I was little through to today."
“It means everything to be a part of a family and friends club.”
While Hawkins has accumulated a lifetime of memories with the club, taking out the 2019 premiership stands as her proudest achievement as a Tiger.
“We had made it two previous years before and had unfortunately lost, so to finally get that win was a great achievement,” she said.
“But I think the best thing is that I get to play with my best friends every week."
“We’re a close group of girls and we’ve been playing as far as I can remember."
“I’m lucky to still be playing with them, in A grade particularly. You go out there with your friends and you all have the same goal – wanting to win.”
While celebrating such a milestone was destined to be a highlight, Hawkins said coming out of the contest with a 14-point win over the Imperials at 41-27 was a proud moment.
The victory helped Simpson to get back in to the groove after suffering its first loss on the season to South Colac the prior week.
“We got better as the game went on, and we’re still trying to find a few combinations that work best for us,” Hawkins said.
“We haven’t had our full team due to injuries and COVID, which is exciting because we get to see what we are capable of."
“Defensively, the game was probably our breakout moment. Our whole court pressure was amazing for the whole game which stood out."
“Kelly Thompson had a good game, she was quite consistent throughout the whole four quarters, and another mention would be Ash Arnold who at the start of the game was able to put the directions we gave her in, which benefit her as a defensive player and helped us as a whole team.”
Simpson maintains its third spot on the ladder ahead of an away game against Alvie this weekend.
“Getting off to a fast start, which I think we’ve only done once so far this season, is what we’re aiming for,” Hawkins said.
“We want to have a better warm up and get a better start because teams are jumping us and matching us at the start, which makes it quite hard."
“We can’t just play half a game of good netball; it’s not going to win games.”
