The Penola Netball Club celebrated a true legend last weekend when Mandy Gartner reached the 300-game milestone.

Gartner has been at the club for more than 10 years having moved to the Eagles’ nest after starting her career at Nangwarry in the Mid South Eastern Netball Association..

The big game took place against Border Districts on home turf at McCorquindale Park and she enjoyed every minute of it.

“It was good actually and I had a great day out … I loved it all,” Gartner said.

She has played the majority of her career through the A and A Reserve grades as a defender and built a reputation as a fit, hard-working and team-first player.

Gartner stands shorter than many of her opponents around the ring, but her ability to read the play has caused many headaches for her rivals.

Later in her career she enjoyed a fun and successful run in the B Grade including a whopping five premierships between 2010 and 2021.

Her list of accolades is long, but highlights include best and fairest prizes led by the club and league double in 2015.

Gartner said the support received from the club and family had helped her achieve so much.

“I have been lucky really and have been injury free which has helped,” she said.

“Playing for a good club has been a wonderful thing.

“I have played with an awesome team and great people who have really helped.

“Just the support of my family (has been the biggest thing) they have always said ‘keep going mum’.

“They have been an important part of my entire career.”

Off the court her commitment to the club does not go unnoticed having coached juniors for many years, including the Under 13A premiers in 2014.

She has been a team manager, umpire, uniform coordinator and a member on the committee for a number of years.

Her commitment has never been exclusive to the netball side of things having supported her son Cooper play for the Eagles and completed many duties for the football team including as a trainer.

Gartner’s daughters Taylah and Abbie had a heartfelt message on the club’s recent Facebook post celebrating the milestone.

Her daughter Tayla said Mandy was a super mum on and off the court.

“Mum has taught Abbie and I everything we know about the game we love,” Taylah said.

“Mum has rarely missed a Saturday and travelled to every Country Champs weekend and school netball event.

“Growing up playing for Penola, mum has coached us, umpired and supported us.

“Every Thursday night and Saturday was strictly netball talk only and even today not a Saturday goes by without a post-match phone call to debrief and fill each other in about our games.

“We can never keep up with mum’s achievements, but we hope one day we can win as many premierships and be as fit as she is!

“We are so lucky to have such a passionate mum who still enjoys playing the game herself and we are so proud to watch you play your 300th games.”

Looking ahead Gartner has more ambitions of coaching some junior sides, but would love to score another flag with her teammates this year.

“I could possibly look at doing some coaching I think,” she said.

“Possibly juniors because I like working with them, getting them in the right stead which is something I will look forward to.

“We are sitting second on the ladder in B Grade and are looking at a grand final this year.

“Getting back to back premierships would be very good.”