Chiltern netballer Melinda Stephens reflects on life as a Swan

Her loyalty to Chiltern has spanned decades after first taking to the netball court as an eight-year-old.

Now 45 and almost 500 senior games later, there aren't too many roles Stephens hasn't put her hand up for over the years, with netball president, coordinator, secretary, umpire and coach among some of her titles.

But she'll tell you volunteering has just become second nature after growing up with dad Bob and mum Heather as her role models.

Bob, a former Chiltern president and Ovens and King League goal umpire, and Heather, a club treasurer and head of the former ladies committee, are both life members, with their kids following in their footsteps.

Oldest daughter Jodie Sorensen is the current canteen manager, Matthew is a former club president and Darren has had a stint as secretary.

"We were always the first there and the last to leave," Stephens said.

"Dad used to bring all of the footballs home to polish and nugget.

"We'd go home in winter and they'd have prime spot in front of the heater to dry.

"We had a family station wagon and if there was ever any kids of bags left behind on a Saturday, they'd all be put in the car.

"Sometimes we'd go down to the oval to move the sprinklers at 1am."

While her older siblings were born in Melbourne before relocating to Chiltern, Stephens was the country kid of the family.

"I'm country at heart," she said.

"Dad always says if footy had of been around now like it is for girls, I probably would have played because I was always out kicking the footy with my older brothers.

"I used to follow everything my brothers did.

"It was always competitive at home with the boys."

Starting out in the Ovens and King League, Stephens saw the club transition into the Tallangatta and District competition.

Success came early for the club in the TDNA, with Stephens playing in a B-grade flag in her first year in the changed league, going on to win another four.

"The Tallangatta League made it really easy for us to come in," she said.

"There was always a lot of rivalry and history in the Ovens and King League.

"I'd come across people who would say, 'you're a Stephens, are you related to Darren and Matt?'

"I'd never know whether to say yes or no, I'd have to ask who they played for first."

While it's believed Stephens may have already unknowingly reached her 500 game milestone, she's set to formally celebrate the occasion later this season.

Last year marked the first season of netball she's ever missed, having never even taken a break for a holiday since starting to play senior netball in 1993.

"If I did I'd make sure it was from Sunday to Friday because I didn't want to miss netball," she said.

"A lot of the girls I've grown up playing with have either finished early because of injuries or kids, or they've gone on to play at other clubs, but I didn't."

The Swans back-to-back B-grade premierships in 2005 and 2006 remain a highlight for Stephens, who played alongside teammate and now retired Swan Sandra Shannon in five flags.

"She was always wing defence and I was wing attack," she said.

She's also stepped onto the court countless times with Petrina Sanderson, Megan and Lee Brookes over the years, having also coached Megan and Petrina as juniors.

Nurturing the club's young talent has always been a passion for Stephens, who hopes to dedicate more time to it in the future.

While the netball court has always been her domain, she's also tried her hand at other sports.

"I tried tennis but I got too angry," she said.

"I played softball in Wangaratta for a couple of years with a former netball coach and netballers.

"I also played footy and cricket when I was at school, but it was always netball."

After supporting the Swans all day, you can then find Stephens working at the Chiltern pub on a Saturday night.

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While she's stepped away from playing every game this season, she's still training with the Swans young squad.

"We have a lot of juniors who have come up into the senior squad early, but they were ready," she said.

"I didn't want to push them out."

Chiltern has so far won five games this season, with their most recent win coming against Rutherglen.

Stephens played a hand in guiding the side, after A-grade coach Lee Brookes was forced to leave the game early after her son Ashton was injured on the football field.

Stephens' family connection at Chiltern remains strong, with her brother-in-law Neville Sorensen the current club vice-president and cousin Mark Stephens a former president and life member.

He's now referred to as the Swan's "head chef," organising and cooking the club's barbecues and Thursday night dinners.

Nephews Josh, Corey and Liam Sorenson all take to the footy field for the Swans.

"It's been a family affair at the club," Stephens said.

Looking back on her long career with Chiltern, Stephens said there's no other club she'd rather dedicate countless hours to.

"I've never been anywhere else," she said.

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