WHEN Kim Harlock-Knights first moved to Mildura 12 years ago, she joined the Meringur Football Netball Club as a way to meet people.
This Saturday, she celebrates 150 games in the white and blue.
“Netball is sort of my outlet I guess,” Harlock-Knights said.
“I’ve got two young kids, most of my life is work or children, so netball is my fun thing that I get to do for myself and keep fit.”
Harlock-Knights began playing netball in Melbourne as a nine-year-old, but stopped after she turned 18, not returning to the sport until 2012 to play with the Kangas.
“I started back in netball mostly to meet people, coming to Mildura I didn’t know anyone other than my partner,” she said.
“Most of my friends that I have made here over the years have been from Meringur.”
The Kangas A Grade co-captain might not have won any premierships during her time at the club, but for her, the sport is about so much more than the accolades.
“Winning has never been a huge motivator for me, I just enjoy getting out there really,” she said.
At 35-years-old, Harlock-Knights considers herself as the “mother of the group”, and believes that is why she has taken on a leadership role this year.
“I think it’s just because I’ve been around so long and all of the girls know me and respect my old age, apparently that gives me some sort of authority,” she said.
Barring any injury woes, Harlock-Knights said she has no plans of hanging up her bib anytime soon.
“If I had a couple of years off now I could never come back, so it is a very big decision to stop playing now,” she said. “So I have no plans to stop anytime soon.”
Harlock-Knights will celebrate her 150th game against Nangiloc at Nangiloc Oval this Saturday in what should be a good contest.
In other games, Gol Gol will travel to Lake Cullulleraine to take on Werrimull, while Bambill host Cardross at Mildura Senior College.
