Cats History Timeline

KEY DATES POST AMALGAMATION

1995 - Tracey Andriske, Jennie-Lee Kennett, Kerryn Roberts, Bernie Keech, Helen Keech, Megan Griffin, Neralie Rowan and Carla Griffin all make Association teams – and NENA won the marching trophy! The negotiations regarding gate takings with the Footy Club begins.

1999 - Netball results were read out along with football results at Presentations! Janet gains her B Grade Umpires Badge. First joint windup held with Footy Club

2000 - The netball club introduced the Club Volunteer of the Year Award which was donated by Heather Griffin. The first winner was Janet Zweck.

2001 - Netball voted to change practise night to be the same as footy.

2002 - A committee was formed in to design a new netball uniform (body suit). This committee consisted of Amanda Nolan, Simone Bigg, Cherie Stirling, Tristen Turner, Hannah Wandel, Rebecca Hanrahan (Jamieson). The new bodysuit was adopted as our uniform in 2003. This was a navy blue body suit with a teal and white design around the edges. Bibs were teal blue with navy blue writing.

2003 - Mock Wedding held with netballers and footballers.

2004 - After more than 18 months of debate BSNC purchased new body suits, subsidising the price - $80 each We adopt the slogan “Don’t pat these Cats”

2006 - Cats first website is launched! Simone Bigg putting in a huge amount of time collating history. BSNC adopt a Code of Conduct and Life Member Criteria

2008 - Ashley Hentschke recruits Maggie Nicholson and a new era begins for BSNC as she recruits her sister and the 3 Johnson sisters from Adelaide. BSNC first Life Memberships are awarded to Janet Zweck, Cathy Agnew, Denby Wandel, Carley Darling and Tracey Andriske,

2009 - The first A1 Premiership for the Blyth Snowtown Netball Club. Slip Darling appointed as first male coach at the BSNC for the A2’s , a ground-breaking decision! Infamous Player’s Review performance by the A1 team performed to a Lilly Allen hit.

2010 - BSNC Umpire Development program implemented

2011 - BSNC become a Good Sports Club

2012 - Kerry-Lee Welke receives Life Membership for BSNC.

2013 - BSNC formed a sub committee to design our current netball uniform which was implemented in 2013. The committee consisted of Hayley Zweck, Mardi Pratt and Tanya Warner. Due to the RSMU entering our competition and with their uniforms being quite navy it was decided to differentiate by using majority aqua as the base of the uniform whilst still honouring the Cats scratch and the trade mark paw prints on the shorts under skirt. Our Juniors followed suit with a matching top and skort.

2014 - New BSNC Junior uniform introduced. BSNC introduced whole Club trainings introduced. The Blyth Snowtown A1 team finally beat the Blyth Netball Club record of 5 A1 Premierships in a row, winning their 6th consecutive (& final) premiership.

2015 - a terrible run of injuries combined with pregnancies and players relocating saw 13 players out of the netball A squad, the club starts rebuilding and only takes a few years to get back to being highly competitive. Inaugural BSNC Youth Volunteer of the Year Award to Caitlyn Pink

2015 - BSNC fill roles for the NENA Executives - President Kerry-Lee Welke, Secretary Simone Bigg. Treasurer Bernie Altmann, Recorder Kristin Carling, Reporter Rhiannon Michael.

2015 - Lauren Collins wins a premiership for Matrix in the Premier League Reserves Grand Final as GA, Matrix 57 - Contax 47. Chris Ashby and Sharon Higgs begin to look after football and netball players children whilst they train to encourage everyone to play sport. Named ‘Cats Creche’, the trial in February 2015 was a huge success.

2016 - The football and netball clubs join to establish the Blyth Snowtown Cats Social Club consisting of a committee of netball and football members aimed to create fun events and a great source of fundraising. Kerry-Lee Welke is the NENA Volunteer of the Year

2016 - 21st Birthday Celebration for the BSNC!! A huge effort from the sub-committee compiling the extensive history of the club - Thank you to Sue Pratt, Denby Wandel, Bec Jamieson (President), Tracey Andriske, Simone Bigg, Janet Zweck and Alice Williams. Sharon Higgs capturing the night with lots of photos. Three Life Members inducted - Bernie Altmann, Simone Bigg and Sue Pratt. 21st History Booklet

2017 - Netball and Football members run teas together at the Snowtown Pavilion for Thurs trainings and Saturday home games. A great place to gather and a major fundraiser for all. Kerry-Lee Welke & Tahlia Tilley gain their C grade umpiring badge

2018 - The B1s claim back-to-back premierships. Another amazing volunteer, Simone Bigg is NENA Volunteer of the Year. First Catlow (Brownlow) senior football and netball presentations held at the Blyth Hall, cocktail dress, $40pp.

2019 - On the 25th of September the Blyth Netball courts officially open their 3rd court. Facilitated by Tracey Andriske (a good 5 years of campaigning), who was also awarded life Membership of the Blyth Netball Club.

2020 - on May 19 NENA voted that in the best interest of our communities safety and well being, due to Covid-19 restrictions both Junior and Seniors competitions will NOT go ahead in 2020. However, NEFL continues junior and senior competition. Zoom meetings were the norm for our committee meetings.

2021 - Supercoach Bernie Altmann leads the B1s to another premiership. The A2s also break a 12 year drought to bet Nth Clare and claim victory. Three NENA trophies - A2 B&F Hayley Zweck, B1 B&F Neve Pratt & B2 R/up Alycia Zweck.

2022 - Valarie Ciardiello is awarded Life Membership. North and South Clare use Blyth Oval/Courts for the 2022 and half 2023 season whilst the Clare redevelopment is being constructed. Moving most of our home games to Snowtown. Maddy Zweck & Sam Twamley gain their C Grade umpiring badge. Whilst country loses their Academies, Millie Roberts is selected in the inaugural Thunderbirds Talent academy.

Netball SA increased affiliation fees significantly post-Covid (2016 were Seniors $50 & Juniors $41) Now Seniors NSA fee $101 (plus Netball Aust $5 & NENA $5) - Senior Subs are $111! Blyth Snowtown NC continue to choose to not make any money from subs to try to keep participation affordable (it was $5pp pre-Covid). Juniors subs are $93.

2023 Our club NENA Executives, President Bianca Henderson, Secretary Alice Williams, Treasurer Cherie Stirling, Recorder Kristin Carling (again!) Reporter Hayley Zweck. Bernie Altmann plays her 450th senior game (Snowtown NC & BSNC combined). Sponsorship Coordinators AJ Wood BSFC & Hayley Zweck BSNC join their sponsorship programs and go online! A new website is created by Hayley Zweck with the initial set-up by Ashley Schultz (Little Ivy) and a grant from the Wakefield Regional Council. A vision to streamline sponsorship payments, merchandise orders, registrations, a one stop shop for all current information, including rosters and importantly maintain a rich database of all netball and football achievements.

2024 - Chrissy and Shaz retire from their many years of Cats Crech. During their time they were also supported by Lily Stirling.

2024 - Blyth Snowtown host the North Eastern football & netball grand final with a massive crowd. U14 football, A1, B1 & B2 & J2 netball were excited to play for a chance to win a premiership on their home soil, unfortunley only the U14, B1 and J2 teams were successful. A highlight was the arial acrobatic show and the wonderful volunteers who worked tirelessly all day.