For Rachel Whipp, Saturday was game 300 in the Goulburn Valley League — and her second last as a player.

The former Shepparton United and current Rochester legend has been a link between GVL generations for more than two decades: learning from champions, becoming one herself and then shaping the stars who will follow.

And while number 300 was significant, 301 will be even more so.

Whipp, who currently co-coaches Rochester’s A-grade side and plays B-grade, has confirmed this season will be her last, making the milestone game against Benalla one to savour for everyone at Tigerland.

Speaking ahead of the weekend’s game Whipp downplayed the occasion.

“It’s just going out to play a game of netball,” she said.

“I love netball, I love playing with my teammates.

“It’s the second last game of the season and I’ll be retiring at the end of this year — it’ll be a nice way to finish my career.”

Whipp’s first centre pass in the GVL came in 2004.

She’d moved from her home town of Warrnambool to take up a teaching role at Notre Dame College in Shepparton and a nudge from GVL icon and friend Jacqui Hudgson — then involved at Shepparton United — brought her to Deakin Reserve.

What followed was a run of silverware that would make any midcourter’s highlight reel.

Under legendary coach Jenny Barlow United clinched the 2005 A-grade flag; with Adam Sloan it went back-to-back in 2009 and 2010.

In 2012, Whipp took on the dual role of playing coach and promptly delivered another premiership.

And while she can’t quite put a finger on the exact year, it was during the Demons’ halcyon days when Whipp and co staged the great escape.

“I can’t remember which year it was, but there was one grand final where we were about 15 goals down going into three-quarter time,” she said.

“We just pulled together as a team and won that grand final and that was pretty amazing.”

A year after her fourth A-grade flag, Whipp was off to the Tigers.

Marriage to her husband Nathan, a Rochester local, drew her out to Moon Oval and she has been a linchpin in black and yellow in the 12 years since.

“Definitely the premierships are wonderful, but it’s also the lifelong friendships I’ve made throughout my time there and when I moved to Rochy as well,” Whipp said.

“It’s always hard changing clubs in the same league, but the people at Rochy were very welcoming of me when I made the move. It made it very easy to make that change.

“With my time at Rochy, just watching the development of players and the friendships I’ve made has been amazing.

“Being able to pass on my knowledge to the next generation coming through is something that I do enjoy.”

Her time at the Tigers hasn’t been without setbacks.

An ACL injury in the 2017 pre-season wiped out a campaign, but Whipp returned to play and coach, adding to her eight seasons at the helm of Rochester’s A-grade side while still contributing on court in B-grade.

Hers has been a career drenched in skill, tactical nous and the quiet leadership that turns good teams into great ones.

And as she prepares to don the dress for the final time, Whipp has some salient advice reserved for the next generation of GVL netballers.

“Enjoy it,” she said.

“We play netball because we love it, so just enjoy the time you play.

“Yes, be competitive, but don’t be over serious about it and enjoy that time you have because it doesn’t go forever.”

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Monday, 24th April 2023

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