JADE Benham is having one of her best ever netball seasons for the Robinvale Euston Eagles.
She jokes that it’s “only taken me until my early 40s” to be closing on her maiden senior netball premiership at club level.
Benham last week started leave last week from Swan Hill Council, where she was mayor, to run as the National Party candidate for the seat of Mildura at November’s State Election.
Her B-grade Eagles team are flying high in 2022, leading the competition by two games over Wentworth with just four rounds left.
But Benham isn’t just a netballer. She’s also an umpire, a strapper, scorer, works the club canteen when required, takes football photos for Sunraysia Daily, and helps pack up the gazebos at the end of game days.
Benham this week revealed how a game day looks for her:
“Well, Saturday and netball is where I go for respite and relaxation.
“Thankfully, my husband (Luke) normally has the kids for the day unless he’s playing golf, in which case they get dressed in their Eagles jumpers from when their Dad still played and they come along to footy with me, which they love.
“Days in the Benham house start early with two young boys who are up at 6am but that’s okay because I usually have to be up by seven anyway depending on what game I’m umpiring first or if anyone needs strapping.
“On occasion, I’ve even had footballers come find me at netball for my Rocktape capabilities, which is fine.
“There’s also the odd rub-down I need to perform or other such training duties. I was a Level 2 sports trainer back in the day.
“I don’t often have to umpire the 9am game thankfully, but sometimes have the 10am U/17 game.
“At 11am, our B grade has duty to score for C grade but that rotates around our team and we’re a great group so if someone can’t make it then someone else fills in.
“By noon, it’s A Grade time which I usually umpire, then I play B grade at 1.15pm. A lazy full game at GK! Tower 2 to our Tower 1 down the other end!
“I’m having one of the best senior seasons I’ve ever had this year. It’s. I’ve never actually won a senior netball premiership at club level, so to say I’m a little hungry this year is perhaps an understatement.
“By the time I’m done on court, I’m usually pretty hungry so head to the canteen which is usually flat out and if it is I’ll jump in and help Irene and the girls out for as long as I can.
“I’ll take some football photos for Sunraysia Daily, if required, before heading back to the netball to help put the Gazebos away and pack up at the end of the day.
“Also, it should be noted that there are many people who have more kids than me who do a lot more than me as well.
“It’s the busiest people who seem to always be the busiest, but there are a hundred people who put in many more hours than I do. It’s a club, that’s what we do. For clubs to work, everyone needs to contribute.”
