THERE was a celebratory atmosphere at the George Gordon Oval courts on Saturday morning when the Wentworth Football Netball community honoured a milestone years in the making.
Club legend and stalwart Hanna Byrnes made her 200th appearance as a Roos player.
“It made me feel very special on the weekend,” Byrnes said.
“It obviously hasn’t been something that has been acknowledged hugely in netball before, and that’s something that our club is doing a really good job of trying to change.”
Wentworth marked the occasion with a presentation and a tribute video, posted to social media ahead of the match.
Byrnes said the recognition reflected the values that have defined the club’s culture and her sporting experience there.
“The video was very special,” she said.
“I think it highlighted just what our club is about.
“Two hundred games is a great achievement, but what really is celebrated is the history of the club and the friendships and journey you get to go along the way.”
Byrnes joined Wentworth at the age of 21, moving across from Irymple where she played during her junior days.
“My husband Phil Byrnes is our president at the moment at Wentworth, but he has played at Wentworth since he was under nine,” she said.
“So, I moved over when we started a relationship and have been there ever since.”
Now a mother of three, Byrnes said the club has played an integral role in her family life.
“My husband and I have both played over 200 games,” she said.
“That’s meant our kids have had a great opportunity to be a part of a family club and have grown up around it.”
“I’ve made some absolutely amazing friends at Wentworth, friends that have become our family and my kids are so safe there.
“If it’s not me parenting, it’s one of the many other members and you can’t give a more special thing to children.”
While her tally now sits at the double century mark, Byrnes hasn’t put a cap on how far that number could go.
“We’ll have to see,” she said.
“I’m nearly 40 next year so we’ll have to see how the body holds up.
“But I’m very lucky to be carried as the average age of my team, other than a couple of us would be about 20 at the moment.”
Byrnes praised the calibre and current standard of netball driving the Roos program, singling out Amanda Edward, Alana Mills, Ash Cameron and Christie Becker for their work and dedication.
“They’re doing an incredible job,” she said.
“I’m very fortunate to play in a team of really high skilled netballers.”
The quality and structure of netball at Wentworth has been transformed since Byrnes was a newly club debutant.
“When I started playing netball at Wentworth we were playing on grass, on a little court in the corner of the oval,” she said.
“Now we have home and away netball change rooms, four courts, and a junior development program led by our senior players.”
Byrnes said it’s that future focus and the people leading it that sets Wentworth apart from other SFNL clubs for her.
“It’s the understanding that strength come from the bottom up and from giving back to each other,” she said.
“Kyra Cumming, who’s played probably over 300 games, is still around mentoring our players.”
“Our netballers love the game, and they love each other.
I think that’s what really sets us apart.”
