The South West District Football Netball League has celebrated two remarkable netball milestones, with Ange Morey reaching an incredible 350 senior games and Tiana Richardson notching up 300 games.
Across more than three decades of netball, both players have built lasting connections with their clubs, families and communities, demonstrating the impact of the sport both on and off the court.
Ange Morey – 350 Games
For Branxholme Wallacedale Football Netball Club stalwart Ange Morey, 350 senior games represents more than just a number.
A lifelong love of the game has seen the 56-year-old take the court across Australia and overseas, but it was her home club where her netball journey began and where she has continued to play to this day.
Morey started playing netball at just seven years old in Hamilton, Victoria, beginning in the local Saturday morning competition before progressing to Saturday afternoon and twilight competitions.
She began her senior career with Branxholme Wallacedale in 1988, when the competition was graded as seniors and reserves, before spending two seasons with Hamilton Imperials FNC.
Her netball journey then took her overseas, where she lived in the United Kingdom for nine years and played league netball for Shorwell Netball Club on the Isle of Wight, while also representing the Isle of Wight in the County League.
Upon returning home, Morey spent two seasons with Hamilton FNC before playing a season with the newly merged Hamilton Kangaroos FNC, eventually returning to Branxholme Wallacedale.
After 350 senior games, her motivation to keep playing remains simple.
“My motivation for continuing to play for so long is keeping fit, social connections and a general love of the game.”
For Morey, Branxholme Wallacedale has always been about more than netball. It is a family club, with her two sisters, brother, brother-in-law, three nephews and daughter all having played for the club. Morey, her brother and brother-in-law have also all been inducted as Life Members.
“Belonging to such a friendly, family club gives a great sense of community and I have gained lifelong friendships and memories.”
Her 350-game milestone is one she does not take for granted.
“Reaching this milestone is not lost on me how lucky I am to be able to continue to play competitive netball.”
Along the way, netball has given Morey lessons that extend well beyond the court, including teamwork, problem-solving, compassion and resilience.
One of her proudest memories came when she shared the court with her daughter, Adanna. The pair played in a C Grade grand final together in the same season they were named Best and Fairest and Runner-up respectively for Branxholme Wallacedale.
“I couldn’t have been prouder.”
Away from playing, Morey continues to give back to the club as a coach, umpire and committee member, with a particular passion for junior development.
And despite reaching 350 games, retirement isn't quite on the cards yet.
“I would love to be lucky enough to continue playing in the future, maybe 400 could be on the cards. 60s not too old surely, netball keeps me young.”
Tiana Richardson – 300 Games
For Tiana Richardson, reaching 300 games with Westerns Football Netball Club is a milestone built entirely around one club, a lifetime of friendships and a deep connection to her community.
Richardson began playing netball as a seven-year-old with Portland Netball Association before joining Westerns in 2007 at the age of 20.
Since then, she has played every season bar two while pregnant with her daughters, as well as the years impacted by COVID-19.
All 300 of her milestone games have been played as a senior at Westerns, where she has spent most of her time in B and C Grade.
“300 games means so much to me. I never played junior netball at WFNC, so all my games are senior games.”
Her journey at Westerns has also been a family affair.
Richardson's husband was playing football for the club when she first joined, while her father, younger sister, younger brother and another sister have all since become involved with Westerns in various capacities. Her two daughters have also played for the club since 2021.
It was particularly fitting that her 300th game was shared with her daughter Isabelle, who plays in the Under 15 competition.
Both mother and daughter took the court together, with Isabelle lining up at goal attack and Richardson at goal shooter. Isabelle even scored the first goal for the team.
“In my 300th game on the weekend, I was able to take the court with my daughter Isabelle... It was very special.”
Richardson's Westerns career has been filled with success, including five B Grade premierships, three of which she was a playing co-coach, as well as two C Grade premierships. She has also coached premiership-winning C Grade and Under 15 teams.
She was inducted as a Westerns Life Member in 2024, another achievement she describes as a huge honour.
But when asked what has kept her coming back to the court for almost two decades, Richardson points to the people around her.
“I've made lifelong friends through my connections at Westerns and that is what really motivates me. I get to spend every Saturday with my friends and family, playing the sport I love.”
Her involvement with the club has also helped shape her beyond the netball court, building confidence and leadership skills that have influenced her professional life.
After coaching juniors and volunteering with youth mental health initiative Read the Play, Richardson was inspired to pursue a career working with young people.
“It just ignited something for me. I applied for jobs in the youth space and was successful. So it has been pretty influential for me.”
Today, Richardson continues to give back to Westerns as Executive Netball Director, a role she has held for three years, while also umpiring and previously coaching both senior and junior netball.
As for whether 300 games will be the end of her playing career, Richardson isn't quite sure.
With her youngest daughter Evie hoping to one day share the court with her mum, there may still be another milestone on the horizon.
“My younger daughter, Evie, did say I had to keep playing until we could take the court together, which is another few years away, so maybe.”
From 350 games to 300 games, Morey and Richardson's milestones are a celebration not only of longevity, but of the friendships, families, clubs and communities that make netball so special across the South West.
