History | WDNA Netball

History

Warragul and District Netball association commenced as the Warragul and District Basketball Association
The first meeting to form a committee was on the 12th of December 1967 to commence competition in 1968
34 teams in 1968 to 42 in 1969. Matches were initially played at Warragul High School basketball courts
Discussion ensued about the possible sites for the location of the playing courts these included Tarwin Street at the location of the old tip and opposite Hastings Timber and Hardware and the current site next to the caravan park was selected
The original 6 courts were skin sealed. In 1968 goal posts and rings were purchased
A long-term loan was sought from The Shire of Warragul to erect toilets and to fence off the creek. Funds were also sought for the erection of a club house and 4 sand courts in 1969
In 1969, embroidered emblems were purchased for best dressed teams in all games
In 1970, the Association took out a Public Risk Insurance Policy
The fundraising activities included: casserole lunches, street stalls, fashion parades held by Gordon’s, dances and chook raffles
In 1972, teams were entered into Country Week
In 1972, the pavilion was finished ($6,230) with the inclusion of a verandah ($400)
In very wet weather conditions play was cancelled and this was announced on local radio station 3UL
In 1974, a Constitution was drawn up by a local legal firm
The courts were resurfaced in 1974
In 1975, U10s were incorporated into the Association
In 1976, married ladies were permitted to wear pantyhose and a matching top under their uniform
In 1977, a security light was installed costing $96 annually
In 1978-80, Twilight Competition commenced and was known as “The Daylight Savings” Competition
In 1981 Victorian Netball Association conducted a coaching and umpiring clinic in Warragul on the 3rd and 4th of May. One member per team was expected to sit the umpires’ exam and there was a fine of $2.00 for failing to comply. There was no objection to having male umpires
In 1982 fundraising consisted of catering at the Warragul Show making $849.12
In 1983 a compressor was donated to inflate netballs
In 1985 pies and hotdogs were sold and a pie warmer was bought at the cost of $1034.85. A possibility of amalgamating with Drouin Association in the Open grades in Winter was discussed
In 1986 resurfacing of the courts occurred at the cost of $16,000 with half being funded by the shire
In 1987 at a regional tournament, 15 injuries were sustained, the cause being slippery courts due to the fine sand coming through the surface
In 1988 a Saturday Competition, a Tuesday morning and a Wednesday evening competition were running
In 1989 a disco was held as a break up activity. Boys commenced playing in the Under 10 section, with two boys allowed on the court at any one time
In 1990 Sandra Hoskins and Lyn Stapleton were nominated for Life Membership. There were 21 Twilight teams
In 1991 Gabrielle Draisma was selected to umpire for the Victorian Schoolgirls’ competition
In 1992 the new pavilion was built
In 1993 a new netball region was announced by VNA and Warragul was placed in the new Casey Region, with Ellinbank, Drouin, Pakenham and West Gippsland
In 1995 a decision was made to split the association into an Indoor and Outdoor competition with two separate committees
In 1998 another court resurfacing
In 2000 WDNA applied to be a part of the Olympic torch street parade
In 1996 there were 12 courts
In 2001 WDNA received a Vic Sports and Rec Grant for $45,000 to resurface the courts and increase lighting. Baw Baw Shire also contributed $10,000
In 2002 the Representative Squad were entered into 5 competitions with the 13 and Under team reaching the State Finals in Melbourne at Royal Park
In 2003 playground equipment was installed
In 2005 the beginner umpire was paid $3.50 and $5.00 for an umpire who had completed one or more courses and $8.00 for a badged umpire
In 2006 it was suggested that the choice of President to be rotated between all of the WDNA clubs
In 2010 Working With Children Certificates were introduced
In 2012 our Pink Breast Cancer Fundraising raised $904.00
In 2013 Shirley Melsen was awarded a Life membership on the Grand Final Day.She was gifted a night at the Langham hotel on her retirement from being our canteen manager
In 2014 courts 4 and 5 were turned and resurfaced to allow for greater run off space. A graffiti kit was organized-a sad indictment upon current society
In 2015 the Plexipave court surfacing was completed in February. A large committee changeover occurred with WDNA welcoming several new members
In 2016 asphalt cracks were repaired on courts 6-11. We were successful in our application for a grant from the Victorian Government for Strengthening Local Communities and received $5000.00. This money is to be used to build a new shelter between courts 5 and 6. We raised $1100.55 for Breast Cancer research on Pink Sports Day. Very successful Family nights involving Netball Victoria special activities and a sausage sizzle commenced for players to register for our Winter season
In 2017 Gazebos were purchased to use at special events such as the Gippsland Representative Championships. Pink Sports Day raised $1200.00 for Breast Cancer research
In 2018 a special event occurred on February 25th with Netball Victoria hosting a question and answer forum about netball today hosted by Rosie King, NV CEO. Our new netball shelter was completed and ready to commence the Twilight season.
In 2018, celebrated 50 years as the Warragul and District Netball Association with an activity day for players and a commemorative dinner featuring Rosie King NV CEO as guest speaker and hosted by Judy Buhagiar, the Eastern Region NV Manager. Our President Karen Romano, was accepted to complete a Netball Leadership Program with NV in October. WDNA and DDNA collaborated to update our Governance documents
In 2019, goal post upgrade with support from Baw Baw Shire Council. WDNA & DDNA combined their representative teams and designed a new look uniform which combined elements of both Associations – this has set up a great legacy between Associations