Harcourt Football Netball Club netballer and Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League (MCDFNL) legend Suzie Rinaldi recently notched up her 500th match.
Suzie’s Harcourt Lions club decided to mark her incredible feat with a surprise celebration at the ‘den’ last Saturday creating a banner for the club legend to run though prior to her match against Newstead and inviting her family along to celebrate the special milestone.
Harcourt FNC coach Lauren Peeler said 500 games is a massive achievement, especially at one club, and they wanted to celebrate Suzie’s netball career and contribution to her beloved Harcourt Lions both on and off the court.
“Suzie started her journey with the Lions in 1989 as an 18 year old and that year was named the ‘Most Consistent Player’ in the A Grade side,” Lauren said.
“Now after 28 seasons with the club she is still one of our most consistent players, dominating in our C Grade side which finished as minor premiers this season,” she said.
“Suzie has actually notched up more than 500 games in the league as she also spent a year playing for Campbells Creek A Grade when our club didn’t field a side early on in her career,” Lauren said.
Suzie’s achievements include being part of four A Grade premiership sides, two B Grade premiership sides and four C Grade premierships.
Suzie has also racked up 20 Best and Fairest Awards for her Harcourt Club and six runner-up Best and Fairest honours.
A prolific goaler, Suzie claimed the League Goal Shooting Record in 2001 with 810 goals and has also claimed lots of Blue Ribbon medallions and other game-day awards in-between, as well as some ‘Best in Finals’ awards during her long playing career.
Suzie is also delighted to have seen her two daughters Jessie and Maycee follow her footsteps and play netball at Harcourt.
“Suzie plays with so much heart and tenaciousness in attack, she always has and I’m sure she has plenty more in her as she puts in such a huge work rate outside of netball training,” Lauren said.
“Suzie also fosters the development of the next generation of netballers coaching our 13 & Under side,” she said.
Suzie was really moved by the surprise celebration.
“It was lovely to have my family there to celebrate,” she said.
The Harcourt netballers have had a fantastic season.
The 11 & Under side had a wonderful last game showing their improvement, scoring a whopping 5 goals against Newstead. A team that they only managed to score one goal against at the very beginning of the season. The Lions can’t wait to see these little cubs back out there next year.
All other Harcourt Junior and Senior sides will continue on into the finals which is a pretty impressive achievement from the club. All sides except the Under 17 and Under side have gained a double chance at the silver wear! Go Lions.