LISA Ward is closing in on 350 senior games with Pimpinio, but two years ago she was told she would never be able to play again.
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“I had a severe flare up with my spinal injury in 2015,” she said.
“I was told I would never play again, so I had a bit of a year off and then went back into C Grade. I think that’s my capacity now.
“To be able to keep playing is really good. C Grade is still very competitive, there’s no doubt about that.”
Ward almost called it quits after reaching her 300th game, but was determined to keep taking to the court.
“After my 300th game I was going to retire and then in the off-season I was doing rehabilitation for my injury and I felt okay, so I kept playing,” she said.
“We will see what happens. I won’t say anything about retiring now. I have to play seven games until I get to 350 senior games at Pimpinio.”
Along with playing, Ward is passionate about coaching and is currently coaching the B Grade side.
“I think I was 19 the first time I coached,” she said. “I started doing a couple of courses and off I went. I’ve had a couple of years off here and there, but I always get pulled back into it. I still enjoy it, so it’s still really good.
“Any final, particularly when I’ve coached a final, is always going to be a good memory. Coaching girls to finals is really a highlight for me.
“I love netball and I’ve made a lot of friends out there since the very beginning. There are a lot of people out there that I have played with for 20 or 25 years.”
With her 350th game around the corner, Ward said she was hoping to register a win.
“I don’t know what I’m expecting from the game, a win would be nice,” she said.
After her playing days are over, Ward said she would stay involved with netball in a coaching role.
“I have three daughters and none of them are interested in netball, but I’ll definitely be out there coaching in some capacity after I stop playing,” she said.
“The feeling around the club is pretty good. We are certainly competitive. There’s definitely hope and talent there.”