Championship

Bridgette began playing netball in the “FunNet” program at age 10at home in Echuca. She progressed through underage rep teams for the region, played Zone Academy for Northern region, represented NSW at Nationals, began playing VNL at age 16 and is now going into her 8^th season of VNL. Bridgette’s favourite thing about the game is the mental and physical challenge’s each week and the fitness that comes with playing netball. The one person that has influenced Bridgette’s netball career is her Mum who drove Bridgette to every single training and game from Echuca to Melbourne for 4 years. Bridgette’s favourite netball achievement from team perspective is winning a VNL premiership, and personally – getting into the VNL Team of the Year.

Twenty-five years of age, Georgie began playing netball for Cheltenham North Devils and Kingston at age 11. She played representative netball for Palladians (2008) and Monash Kingston (2009-2010) and in 2011 played for Southern Saints until 2017. Highlight’s for Georgie over the years were winning the Division 1 premiership in 2014 and playing for Edi-Asp from 2013-2017, winning the premiership for 4 consecutive years. Georgie loves being apart of a team and working together to achieve a common goal. Over the many years Georgie has played netball, her mum would have to be her biggest influence; driving Georgie to all her trainings and netball games from a young age, without complaining. Off the court, Georgie likes to skate board to work, whilst currently studying Medicine at Deakin University. Previously worked as a Physiotherapist at the Alfred Hospital.

Twenty-three years old, Melissa has over twelve years’ experience in playing netball starting her journey at a local league in Werribee. In 2008, Melissa began playing for the Werribee Centrals as well as East Geelong and stayed at both clubs until 2013. In 2014, Melissa moved on to play in the GFL representing Grovedale and has been there ever since. She has also been involved in various state teams, playing for Vic Flames and Vic Fury in the Australia Netball League in 2014 & 2015 and playing for Victoria State teams in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Lover of all things netball, Melissa is also a coach at the Flyers and was recently named in the Tasmania Magpies team for 2019. When Melissa isn’t playing, coaching or thinking about netball she can be found spending time with her friends and family or planning lessons – as she is also a secondary school teacher at Grovedale College!

Twenty nine year old Kaitlyn started playing in the BFL league at Drysdale at the age of 7. She then progressed through the age groups and played in her first A grade side for St Marys when she was 14, and has played in the GFL ever since. Kaitlyn played Flyers in the junior age groups and made the 17/u Victorian State Team side, where she played in for 2 years, and went on to play one year in the 19/u Victorian side. Kaitlyn has played with us at Cougars ever since she finished her time in the flyers program and recently played in the BUPA VNL Championship premier side in 2019 making team of the year.

Kaitlyn’s favourite thing about game is the friendships you make, and the feeling of being apart of a team and achieving something together. She can also have a bit of ‘white line fever’ so loves getting out on the court and playing.

Throughout her netball career, Kaitlyns biggest influencers have been her mum and sister. Both got her involved in netball and have been on the roll coaster of highs and lows. They always encouraged Kaitlyn to be her best and have both taught her a lot about the game.

When it comes to Kaitlyn’s achievements to date, her biggest team & personal achievement was making the finals during the 2017 VNL season. This was special to her because it had been the first time Geelong Cougars Championship team had made finals, after years of being in the lower half of the ladder. It was a special time for the club and coach Gez as there had been lots of hard work and dedication to get to there.

Outside of netball Kaitlyn is a mum to her gorgeous daughter Macy, which takes up a lot of her time these days. They love getting outdoors and spending as much time as they can as a family. One thing that we may not know about Kaitlyn is that she is one of eight kids and is the ‘baby’ of the family.