Club great reaches 350 games
Club history will be made this weekend as Nicole Weatherley becomes the first football or netball player to play 350 senior games for the Werribee Centrals.
Weatherley joined the Werribee Centrals when she was just 18 years old and has been a loyal and successful member of the club ever since.
Having played for over two decades with the Centurions, Weatherley has featured in nine A grade netball premierships and has won the club best and fairest award twice.
As a life member of both the GDFNL and the Werribee Centrals, Weatherley will have all the support behind her as she runs out on court for her 350th game this Saturday.
“I’m so excited. To be honest, it doesn’t really feel real. I still like to think that it’s only just the beginning,” Weatherley said.
Whilst most of her success has been achieved in A grade, Weatherley currently plays in the B grade side who have made it into finals and will face East Geelong in round 18.
“It will definitely be a tough battle. East Geelong are a fantastic club,” Weatherley said.
Hoping to secure the win for her milestone game, Weatherley and her B grade team may have to play against East Geelong twice in a row during the first round of finals.
“It will be good to go up against East Geelong again, especially if we don’t come off with the win this weekend, just to work on things,” Weatherley shared.
“Playing someone back to back is an advantage, but it’s an advantage to both.”
Searching for her tenth netball premiership with the Werribee Centrals, Weatherley doesn’t plan on shying away any time soon and is already looking forward to yet another finals series.
“Finals aren’t anything new for us here, so that’s an exciting part and we’re always waiting for that moment in September,” Weatherley said.
Adding to her long list of contributions to the club, Weatherley also coaches the A grade netball team at the Werribee Centrals who have had a tough season due to injuries.
“The injuries have really cost us, but it says a lot about them that they’ve really stuck by each other,” Weatherley said.
“They keep coming back every week, they’re here at training, and they’re happy to keep coming.”
Finishing the season in ninth place on the ladder, Weatherley has coached the A grade side through some tough losses, but some even better wins against teams like the Belmont Lions.
“The Belmont win was the proudest moment for me,” Weatherley reflected.
“They’ve proved that they could do that all year, and they get so close every week.”
Regardless of the result across either netball grade, Weatherley knows that the Werribee Centrals community will always have her back as she continues to chase success.
“This place is just incredible, the way that the people are. You can call them at any moment, and someone will pick up the phone to help you,” Weatherley said.
Whether it’s the tenth premiership cup or the next milestone game that comes first, Weatherley has already built an incredible legacy with the Werribee Centrals and is showing no signs of slowing down ahead of her 350th game.
