For 47 years she has spent her Saturday afternoons playing for or coaching — often both — her beloved Saints.
It’s a story of longevity, passion and commitment to a club that has been part of her entire life.
But, like all great stories, there’s always an ending.
The final chapter of Lynch’s remarkable tale will unfold at Lake Cullulleraine this weekend.
It’s the final hurrah for a remarkable lady when she plays her last competitive match in the Millewa Netball Association C grade grand final against Nangiloc.
Only two weeks ago, Lynch was named best on court in Bambill’s first semi-final.
It will be game 516 for the mother of four and grandmother of six, a league and club record and one that is sure to take some beating.
Lynch, 60, is hoping for a fairytale ending, another premiership to add to her long list of achievements.
“It would be nice, wouldn’t it?” Lynch said. “A great way to finish, winning a premiership.”
“It’s my dream to finish on a high, but it’s a grand final, you never know what can happen.”
Lynch has seen plenty of change over her incredible journey.
Skirts and polos have been swapped for Lycra dresses, pull-over bibs for fancy Velcro patches, grass courts replaced by hard surfaces and then there have been the many rule changes.
But it’s the introduction of different grades that has been the biggest change to the game Lynch has seen.
“When I first started, we didn’t have all these different grades,” Lynch said.
“I think it has been a great thing for the game.
“It caters for all the different standards and has probably given me the chance to keep playing for as long as I have.”
There isn’t much Lynch hasn’t done or achieved in the four decades she has been involved with Millewa football and netball.
She was Bambill’s club secretary for 25 years, only relinquishing the role last year, is a life member of both the Bambill Football Netball Club and Millewa Netball Association, has been a league and club best-and-fairest winner on multiple occasions, coached at junior and senior level and has the league C grade best-and-fairest award named in her honour.
Lynch’s four daughters, Emma, Sarah, Haylee and Rhennai, all followed in her footsteps, playing for Bambill for many years, winning 13 best-and-fairest awards between them.
But it hasn’t just been Lynch’s love of the game that has kept her going — Bambill Football Netball Club and the people associated with it have had plenty to do with it.
Lynch was born into the Bambill Saints.
Her father Clarrie Moll was a star footballer and life member of the club.
For as long as she can remember, she has spent her Saturdays at the footy and netball.
It’s a chance to do something she loves, for herself.
“It’s my time, it’s when I don’t have to worry about the kids, or the housework, it’s just time for me,” Lynch said.
“I’ve always just found Bambill a great place, a great club.
“I suppose I just grew up with it and when I had a family they just tagged along as well.
“There’s always been lots of great families involved in the club and that has made it a lot fun over the years.”
Lynch said she had contemplated retirement for a “few years” now, often asked by her husband Russell, himself a former Bambill footballer, if this was going to be her final year.
“He kept saying to me, ‘Is this it?’” Lynch said.
“I’ve always been able to find an excuse to keep going, but it’s time now.
“It’s been a wonderful time of my life, but there are a few other things I want do.
“We are keen to do a bit of travel and I’m looking forward to spending time with my grandkids.”
But while Lynch might be packing away her netball dress at the end of Saturday’s grand final, hopefully as a premiership player, she won’t be slowing down.
She intends to hit the green, taking up bowls.
And if her success on the netball court is anything to go by, she is sure to be a star.
Rita’s ripper record
First match: 1972
Years: 47
Years as Bambill secretary-treasurer: 25
Games: 516
Premierships: 11
Junior coach: 1994-96
B Grade premiership coach: 2011
Millewa Netball Association B Grade best and fairest: 2010
Bambill B Grade best and fairest: 2010-11 and 2013
Life member Millewa Netball Association and Bambill Football Netball Club 1996
