Sandy started umpiring from a young age and said she has seen the game change in so many ways.

"It what was once known as a non-contact sport is now classed as a limited-contact sport," she said.

"You are allowed to be body on body and have a little push and shove. As long as it's not interfering with the game, it's allowed.

"It's tough to change people's mentality about netball from being non-contact to limited contact. Some older players like myself struggle with it big time."

A player standing with their hands on their hips once contact has been called is Sandy's biggest pet hate.

"I just hate it," she said.

"Acknowledge the fact you've done something wrong and get on with the game.

"Go for the ball - I love tough netball, as long as players are going for the ball. I hate it when people try and line-up opposition players."

Sandy started playing netball, wearing green and gold at the Warriors.

"I also played very early on in the Interchurch competition for Stawell West," she said.

"It was quite a big thing in the town.

"There was really only basketball and netball for girls growing up in terms of team sport."

Sandy said she moved away from the area for about 19 years.

"I continued to play netball when I moved away," she said.

"Some weeks I played eight games over the seven days.

"In my most successful season, I won five premierships in one season - that was a good year."

When Sandy moved back to the region, she originally joined Great Western.

"My son, Josh, was playing at Swifts. They were very good to him and I was impressed with the culture and support they gave the juniors," she said.

"My daughter and I came across to the Swifts in the 2015 as the C Grade coach.

"Netball has been a really great way to be able to reconnect with the community.

"I'm a nurse so I work shift-work so getting out and catching up with people can be difficult. I'm not a big drinker so it's not like I would go to the pub every weekend and meet people."

Retiring from the game she loved, Sandy said it wasn't exactly an easy decision to make.

"I still get itchy feet," she said.

"It hurts too much now, I just can't do it.

"Never say never though, who knows what will happen one day."

Sandy is the treasurer at the club and said she felt honoured to be working alongside many passionate club personnel.

"The club culture is fantastic, it's inclusive - I just can't fault them," she said.

"People are helping out all over the club everywhere.

"There are 20-30 people doing things behind the scenes doing things all the time."

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