Recently, Mansfield Football Netball Club has celebrated a remarkable milestone, with Leonie Berry reaching 500 netball games for the club.
Every one of those games has been played for Mansfield Football Netball Club, reflecting an incredible level of loyalty and commitment across her playing career. Aside from a brief stint at another club while her brother was playing, those matches are not included in her 500-game total.
Leonie’s involvement with netball at Mansfield extends well beyond her playing record. She has been coaching on and off for close to 20 years, primarily in senior netball including A Grade, B Grade and B Reserve levels. Her coaching journey expanded further when her daughter began playing at around nine or ten years old, sparking a renewed passion for junior development and the impact of guiding young athletes.
That passion led her to take on the role of President of the Mansfield Junior Netball Club in 2022, a position she continues to hold. She has also completed her Intermediate Coaching Accreditation as part of her ongoing commitment to the sport. From 2019 through to 2025, Leonie coached the 15 & Under team in the Goulburn Valley League for Mansfield, and this season has stepped into coaching the 17 & Under side, continuing her influence across the club’s junior pathway.
Away from netball, Leonie has worked at Mansfield District Hospital for 27 years as a Health Information Officer. She balances her professional life with a strong family connection to sport through her husband Nick and their three children, Jake, Trent and Madeline.
Sport runs through the Berry family, with Nick playing over 200 games of football for Mansfield Football Netball Club, as well as coaching the reserves and junior football. Their children have also all been involved in the club, with Madeline currently playing in the 17&Under netball team. A special highlight of Leonie’s 500-game milestone was achieving her long-held goal of sharing the court with her daughter Madeline in the same game.
Leonie said reaching the milestone is something she will never take for granted.
“To reach this milestone is extremely humbling. I feel so grateful to my family, all the people I have played alongside and coached, and to MFNC for being such a welcoming and special club to be involved in,” she said.
She also reflected on the journey the club has taken her on, both on and off the court.
“Being involved in Mansfield has helped build my confidence, communication skills and resilience. It’s also taught me that nothing just happens without hard work, and to really appreciate what makes you happy,” she said.
Looking ahead, Leonie said her motivation remains strong to continue supporting the next generation of players.
“If I am still capable of making a valuable contribution on and off the court in supporting and guiding young players, it will be an honour,” she said.
While 500 games marks a significant achievement, Leonie’s impact at Mansfield continues to be defined not just by her longevity, but by her leadership, mentorship and lasting contribution to the club community.
