Who is Rachel?
I grew up in Shepparton, which is a medium sized town and one of the many sporting hubs of regional Victoria.
BMX was huge when I was young and as my older brother started to race, so did I. Weekends of travel all over Victoria and National Championships in almost every state, we saw an enormous amount of Australia before the end of primary school! We even went to the US and raced over there - which was pretty cool, especially as we got to go to Disneyland! Great family friends were built over many years as part of an awesome BMX community spirit.
As the BMX craze waned in Shepparton, it was basketball that took over, including many squad weekends away, travelling as a team and making more new friends along the way.
As I hit High School, my new friends were all into netball, and the next thing I knew this became my passion. I was fortunate to make the VSSSA 15&U netball team, which included my first trip to NT to play at Alice Springs and climb Ayers Rock. I was also humbled to be selected into the Australian squad. I made the State 17&U Netball team the following year and it was none other than the current Australian Diamonds Coach, Lisa Alexander, who coached me in both of these teams. My parents fantastic support, permitted me to play State League in Melbourne every week during High School and I was fortunate to be coached by former England and Melbourne Vixens coach, Julie Hoornweg, who was one among many great State and International coaches guiding me as a player.
I still remember one of my very first State League matches... I was only supposed to sit on the bench, as a goaler... One of the cars coming from Shepparton broke down on the way to Melbourne, so I was starting on court, but not in goals, in wing attack... Our opponent was Melbourne Blue, coached by former Australian coach Normal Plummer, and I lined up for my first game in wing attack... I was not only playing one of the most formidable clubs in the league, but I was against Simone McKinnis, who is arguably the best ever Australian wing defence, and now current coach of Melbourne Vixens. Needless to say I was facing my fears... I think I touched the ball twice!
My netball coaching career began as a 15 year old when I started coaching local 13&U teams and I never looked back. The pinnacle of my coaching career was the premiership win with Force, Division One State League. After retiring at the ripe old age of 27, I took the coaching reigns and over a number of seasons we moved from cellar dweller into the finals series, taking the Division One grand final win in extra time in the last ever season of State League as we knew it. What a fantastic group of players and support staff, all working together to create a memory, not only for us, but for the Diamond Creek Force Netball Association, where I am honoured to be a Life Member.
Victorian Netball changed and North East Blaze was born as State League morphed into the Victorian Netball League. I am honoured to be one of the Founding Members, a former President and first Life Member of such a fantastic club and culture.
After many years of contribution to netball, a break was needed and this is when I found golf. What a challenge and what fun! I have met some wonderful new friends and created some unique memories already while experiencing some of the most beautiful locations!
I have always had and will continue to hold passions for any sort of social sport and activity in general. Always ready to take out the end of season trip bowling championship, get behind the wheel of a V8 supercar, barrack for the mighty Magpies, or tackle my "illogical" fear of heights!!
I love it all and wouldn't be me without any of it!
