IT’S been a long time between drinks – 59 years in fact – for the Lake Boga A grade team.
It was back in 1965 when the Magpies were considered the best netball team in our region, but having gone through this season undefeated, they are now on the cusp of doing something extraordinary.
The are many reasons for the recent success, but central to them all is their connection as a team, with the seven girls who hit the court each week playing like one big family.
Why wouldn’t they play like one big family, because essentially they are one, at least at either end of the court, with the Hepburn sisters and Peacock twins dominating the rings.
Lake Boga have steadily risen to prominence on the back of their bookends, with Sarah Hepburn and Katie Carmichael dominating in attack and the Peacock girls, Emma and Sophie, stopping opposition teams in their tracks in defence.
Ask any coach, and the partnership between goalers and defenders is a crucial one, but when that teammate is your own flesh and blood, it’s easy to see why Lake Boga have been dominant this year.
It’s a combination that Lake Boga Netball co-ordinator Sheridan Harrop marvels at each week, with the assistant coach telling The Guardian that their girls are more than just teammates.
“The biggest thing is that all these girls are friends as well, which takes it to a new level because they genuinely enjoy playing with each other,” Harrop said this week.
“The connection that they all have, and I know we have the two sets of sisters, but it’s the connection of all the girls.
“They all get along well with one another, they can remain level headed and discuss things on court with each other. Having a set of sisters up each end as well, it’s good to watch and be on the side lines to be a part of that.
“The Hepburn girls have been at our club off and on since around 2012 and started in both the juniors and seniors.
“It’s been amazing to watch them grow into this powerhouse duo in our attack end and watch them grow not just as players but people as well.
“The Peacock girls they have come to our club a bit later, I think this is Emma’s third year with us and Sophie came here last season, after being convinced by her sister to come and play with us.
“We have two sets of twins in our junior teams and with the Peacock sisters being twins, it’s nice seeing them be role models for those younger girls within our club.
“As a club, that connection that they have as sisters isn’t just contained to themselves, but it’s within all the girls as this team is almost like its own little family.
“They’re all friends outside the club, they’re always out together or at each other’s houses. It’s probably no surprise that they’ve grown into the strong team they have.”
Having come so close to breaking that premiership drought 12 months ago, the Magpies will get another chance tomorrow afternoon against Swan Hill in a rematch of last years decider.
For Harrop, a win would be the perfect reward for years of hard work and dedication, not just from the current players, but those who have gone before them.
“It’s something that not only these girls have been working towards for the last three years but everyone at the club,” Harrop said.
“Having waited for so long, everyone is desperate to see the girls get up and have the ultimate success.
“We know it’s been some years since we last won and tomorrow is more about trying to reward everyone that’s come before us really.
“For me, I’m just so proud to have been a part of this journey with the girls, I know everyone will get around them and cheer them home, because I know the girls want to win this as much for the club and those within it as they do for themselves.”
