By Mikayla van Loon
Coming into the Eastern Football Netball League for the first time this season, Montrose netball player Bek Hincksman was surprised to even be invited to the league’s best and fairest event, let alone come runners up.
“Honestly I was surprised. I was told the top five get the invite and I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll take number five and a free drink’,” she said.
“So I was surprised that my name wasn’t called until almost the very end and I was pretty close to the winner. So I was pretty happy.”
As a defender, Bek said it was nice to be recognised by the umpires for her playing style, when often defenders are not considered for BnF awards.
“I was quite chuffed because the majority of the rules are against me and I have to be quite clean to get any votes from the umpires,” she said.
“I base my game off a really clean game and I don’t really want to hurt anyone. So I’m glad they saw that as well.”
It was a successful night all round for Montrose FNC, with fellow netballer Maddie also coming runners up, Steph Verhoef getting lead netball goal scorer and Rachel Hardy coming runners up in the women’s football BnF.
Montrose Football Club for the men’s also walked away as the champion club for division one.
Bek said her team had been a top four side all season and although they couldn’t hold on in the finals, it was great to be a part of such a friendly and fun environment.
“Even making a prelim for my first season at Montrose, I’m happy with that and I think we gelled so quickly for a team that’s never played together,” she said.
Playing netball for at least 10 years now, Bek said what she loves most about sport is that everyone has a role to play on the court.
“You’re only as strong as your weakest player, you need every single person on the court to contribute to win.”
As a coach, as well as a player who started when she was around 12-years-old, Bek said netball is such an inclusive sport, where participation is key.
“For me, the participation of women and girls in sport in general has really helped my mental health as well as a lot of other people, so I think that getting more girls in sports is probably a good idea.
“For people and girls in general who are thinking about starting a sport or getting fit and making some more friends, creating a group, netball will be the best way to go even socially.”
