Annalise Grinter, Bridget Cassar and Laura Irvine were honoured for their outstanding service and achievements across more than two decades on Saturday.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
The Yarrawonga Football Netball Club marked a special moment in its history on Saturday officially celebrating three extraordinary women whose contributions have helped shape the modern era of the Pigeons.
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In front of a large and appreciative crowd, Bridget Cassar (300 A Grade games), Laura Irvine (250 A Grade games) and Annalise Grinter (250 A Grade games) were honoured for their outstanding service, loyalty and achievements across more than two decades at the club.
While Bridget notched up an amazing 300 senior games, Annalise and Laura were presented with Life Membership of the Ovens and Murray Football Netball League.
The Bridget Cassar Court
Bridget Cassar has plenty of ‘blonde curl’ fans on Saturday.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
The occasion was made even more memorable by the official naming of the club's newest netball court as Bridget Cassar Court, a fitting tribute to the most decorated player in the club's proud history.
Some players leave a mark on a club. Others help define an era. Bridget Cassar has done both.
Since pulling on the Yarrawonga colours for the first time in 1998, Bridget has become one of the most decorated, respected and influential figures in the history of the Yarrawonga Football Netball Club.
On Saturday she reached a remarkable milestone of 300 A Grade games, a testament not only to her talent, but also to her loyalty, resilience, leadership and unwavering commitment to the club she loves.
Across an extraordinary career spanning nearly three decades, Bridget has amassed 384 club games, appeared in 15 A Grade Grand Finals, and celebrated 9 A Grade Premierships, along with 2 B Grade Premierships and 1 C Grade Premiership. These achievements alone place her among the elite players to ever represent the club.
Her individual accolades are equally impressive. A dual A Grade Best & Fairest winner in 2013 and 2014, Bridget’s ability to perform at the highest-level year after year has been a hallmark of her career. Her contribution to netball extends well beyond her own playing achievements, dedicating 14 seasons as a coach, helping develop and inspire generations of players who have followed in her footsteps.
Recognition of her impact has come from both the club and league levels, earning YFNC Life Membership in 2013 and Ovens & Murray Life Membership in 2023—honours reserved for those whose contribution to the game is truly exceptional.
Yet statistics and trophies only tell part of the story.
Bridget has been the ultimate teammate, competitor, mentor and club person. She has represented everything that Yarrawonga Football Netball Club stands for—commitment, humility, excellence and loyalty. Through countless training sessions, finals campaigns, victories, setbacks and celebrations, and three children, she has been a constant presence and a role model for players young and old.
Her legacy is measured not just in games played or premiership medals won, but in the standards, she has set, the friendships she has forged and the lasting influence she has had on everyone fortunate enough to share the court with her.
Three hundred A Grade games is a milestone few will ever reach. To do so while helping shape one of the most successful periods in the club’s history makes Bridget Cassar’s career truly extraordinary.
