Christine Poidevin has seen a lot of changes in local netball over the past 50 years, beginning with the name change from Women’s Basketball to Netball at the start of the 1970s.
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“We began playing on dirt and sand courts - having to line them every week with lime and a marker – then to asphalt with painted lines and now rubberised pavement, painted colours with permanent lines,” the dual Life Member, former star player, umpire and president told The Free Press.
“In the beginning the scorers sat in the car to score if the weather was bad. Then there were small shelters for the scorers. Now there are large shelters for the officials and players to leave their bags with full changerooms, some with showers.
“Rules have also changed from catch and stop, then throw to full step on play, very fast and athletic.”
Chris believes Corowa/Rutherglen O&M Netball is in a great situation. “The A & B Grade are being very successful with an outstanding coach (Georgie Bruce) and strong committed players, with the other grades being able to bring players through to support future success. They have strong leadership, coaches, players and support people. Their future is looking great,” she said.
“Over the years the O&M has had success, but alas also disappointment. During my time at coaching we were unable to have any finals success. We had players giving their all week after week with coaches and support people being there for support.”
Since stopping her umpiring in the O&M, Chris watches very little netball these days as other activities have taken the place of being at netball all day on a Saturday.
After years of going to netball with her mum, Chris’s netball playing stared at age 13 years, in Wahgunyah B Grade in the Corowa & District Netball Association (known as Women’s Basketball).
After a couple of years, she moved up to A Grade helping to win a couple of premierships and winning a best and fairest one year.
In 1972 Coreen Football League began to play netball along with the football fixture. In 1973 Chris began to play with Wahgunyah in that league, continuing to play on a Sunday in the Corowa & District Association.
In 1974 she began coaching the club with A Grade and Juniors, with other grades and coaches being implemented as time went on. This is where her umpiring began.
“We had great success in the Coreen League with all grades over the next 13 years, with nine premierships,” Chris said.“I stopped coaching Wahgunyah in 1986 and was awarded a life membership in 1988.
“I continued my involvement in netball through Corowa and District Association, taking on the presidency in 1987, a position I enjoyed for 20 years. We had great fun over the years with rep. teams, especially going to Country Week in Melbourne. The association awarded me a Life Membership in 1992.”
Chris also became involved with O & M Corowa/ Rutherglen netball after the league began in 1992, initially as a player and umpire, then as a committee person and subsequently taking on coaching.
“I’m afraid my coaching years did not bring a lot of success to Corowa/ Rutherglen but I enjoyed it,” she said.
“When I finished playing and coaching, I concentrated on umpiring and joined the O & M Umpiring Board.”
Chris umpired for many years in the O & M at all levels, including many finals in O & M and other leagues. Her netball career ended after having a knee procedure in 2013.
The name Christine Poidevin is highly regarded throughout north-east Victoria and a much deserved dual Life Member.
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