Ararat Eagles netballer Riki McRoberts will play her 500th senior netball game when the Eagles face Penshurst on Saturday.
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The B Grade goalie has been involved with the club for 30 years and has not looked back since starting in 1986.
McRoberts said it is a special achievement, and something she values a lot.
“It means a lot to me, it has been quite a long time playing, so it is a big thing,” she said.
“It has been a bit over 30 years ago that I started with the Eagles, and I had played at a few other places prior to that.
“I started playing when I was seven years old, so it has definitely been a big part of my life.”
I think I have a couple of years left in me
- Riki McRoberts
The camaraderie that created when involved in a sporting club can not be replicated in many places and it is something that McRoberts has enjoyed.
She said it has definitely changed her as a person and has enjoyed playing with lots of different teammates over the years.
“I love being involved with the club, I have got no plans to stop just yet, I honestly think I have a couple of years left in me but I do not think I will get to 600 games, that is probably a bit too far off,” she said.
“I just love the game, all the girls I play with, the social side and still have two sisters who are sort of still playing netball.
“The whole club atmosphere is great, I really enjoy it and to play the best game in the world with my closest friends is great, I absolutely love it.
“There are a few people I have looked up to have played a lot of games with my two sisters, they have both played 450 games and Sarah West has probably played with me for 300 of the games, so they are the main ones I guess I look up to in a netball sense.”
The veteran of the club has had some luck on the injury front with only one significant injury.
She said apart from minor sprains, there was only one other major injury she has had.
“I had to have a knee reconstruction 17 years ago but that is really it, so I have been really lucky with that,” she said.
The 47-year-old has achieved multiple A and B Grade best and fairests along with two A Grade premierships.
McRoberts said she hopes to add at least one more to her collection before she finishes her career.
“Another premiership would be good, but I just want keep plugging away, enjoying the game and playing the game I love,” she said.
- Full preview of the Eagles match against Penshurst on page 45.
