Tamara Mathews looks back on the highs and lows of her netball career

While she continued the tradition through the cooler months each year, there was also another sport that took her interest from a young age.

"I love gymnastics and still do to this day," Mathews said.

"I had some great opportunities with different camps to Sydney and the Institute of Sport in Canberra.

"As you get better and progress the commitment is huge, it was just a bit too much in the end."

After playing her junior netball years with Rand, Mathews spent two seasons with Murray Magpies before deciding at 20 it was time to make the move to the Ovens and Murray League, joining Lavington.

"I knew of Tim Sanson, because he had been my high school teacher, and Simon and Fran Plunkett, but I didn't really know anyone else," she said.

"It was a bit of a personal challenge to go outside my comfort zone."

Starting in C-grade in 2001, Mathews gradually worked her way up to play A-grade.

"Kelli O'Brien was coaching A-grade at that stage and she was just such a passionate, fun netball person," she said.

"Trish Scammell was president, and I still see her to this day.

"The first couple of years we were strong, and then we went through a period where we weren't as strong.

"I think the turning point was when Jodie House came across from Raiders in 2005.

"She played a really big role in changing the culture at the club.

"That started a really successful period for us."

In 2014 Mathews' hard work paid off, claiming a premiership with the Panthers' C-grade.

"That was the first one I had played in and won, and I happened to be the coach as well," she said.

"Then we went back-to-back in 2015.

"I got to play in a few grand finals, but it took quite a few goes before I won one."

After always having an interest in how the game worked, Mathews admitted coaching became a natural pathway for her.

"I started off assisting Leanne Meredith with the under-16s before stepping into C-grade and then B and A," she said.

"I was the Ovens and Murray rep coordinator for a long time and that involved going away with the rep teams.

"I got to watch people like Fiona Boyer and Paula Cary coach.

"They were amazing to listen to. I learnt a lot and that really inspired me."

Going on to lead the Panthers' A-grade for four seasons, Mathews rode the highs and lows of two close grand final losses to Yarrawonga.

"Unfortunately the ultimate prize, the premiership, eluded us," she said.

"We lost in 2016 and 2017 by two goals and under, and that was heartbreaking.

"Watching Skye (Hillier) go down with a knee injury with six minutes to go was a devastating way to end the season.

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"In 2018 we had been undefeated and then bowed out of the prelim in overtime, which was a devastating way to finish off what had been an outstanding year."

But she admitted seeing the players' Mad Monday outfits was always a highlight.

Mathews' last year at the club in 2019 also came with heartache, with Hillier and Sarah Senini's seasons cut short with injuries weeks out from the finals.

"With the highs came the lows, but that's just coaching and sport," she said.

"Whilst we won't have our name on the premiership trophy, I still think we have to be proud of what we did.

"Those teams were fantastic and we still look back and reminisce."

There's now a long list of players Mathews has helped mentor over the years, including long-time Ovens and Murray stars Senini and Sarah Meredith.

"I think they mentored me more than I mentored them," Mathews said.

"It's nice to think that I was able to work with them, and hopefully they learnt something along the way.

"I was really lucky to play with Emily Browne when she came to the club, and we played in a B-grade grand final together.

"To play with her at the start of her career was really awesome."

She's also helped guide players from other clubs during her time as an interleague coach.

"We've had some very fun trips," she said.

"I most recently coached the open side with Lou Byrne and Paula Cary at Rosebud, and it was a privilege to coach with them.

"We've had some great success as a league."

Mathews has been a member of the league's committee since 2006, becoming chairperson in 2014.

"It's a great way to get to know people from other clubs," she said.

The former Panther has become a Tiger this season, stepping across to assist Albury's under-17s.

She joins one of her old friends and former teammates in A-grade coach Sarah Moore.

"When one door closes another opens," she said.

"I'm loving getting back and helping kids."

With three young daughters, Alira, Georgie and Zoe, Mathews also spends her days helping other children as a pediatric occupational therapist.

She admitted sport helps with the development of young people.

"It plays such a big role in teaching people life skills," she said.

Looking back on her career so far, Mathews has plenty to be thankful for.

"The biggest reflection for me is the relationships you make," she said.

"There's often a lot of talk about loyalty to clubs and colours, but when we talk about loyalty, you're loyal to the people you play alongside.

"I've been so lucky that even though I'm no longer at Lavington, I still have fantastic relationships with the girls there."

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