By Marcus Uhe
The story of Narre Warren’s netball program simply cannot be told without the Mashado’s.
While Michelle has steered the ship from the sidelines as a long-time coach and administrator for the Magpies, daughter Brittany has played an integral role on the courts as one of the driving forces behind the club’s sustained success and dominance in recent years.
On Saturday at Kalora Park against Mt Evelyn, the bond between the instrumental family and the club was strengthened even further when Brittany took to the court in the black and white dress for the 300th time, with Michelle proudly watching from the sidelines.
She became just the second player to do so at the club, following in the footsteps of best friend and games record holder Kate Dowling in 2023, ensuring she will leave an indelible mark on the club when her playing days come to a close – whenever that may be.
Nearly 12 months prior to the exact day, Mashado was full of emotion and cried tears of joy as she made a heartfelt pregame speech for Dowling, upon becoming the first Magpie to reach 300 games.
On Saturday, it was Brittany’s turn in the spotlight, with Dowling front and centre to bask in her friend’s glory.
There were Mashado masks in the crowd and strong turnout of support on a stunning unseasonably warm late winter’s day to celebrate the reigning premiership captain’s incredible milestone, with colleagues from the police force even making the trip for the blockbuster showdown with Mt Evelyn.
Hers is a career glittering with achievements and success, boasting a CV to rival the best of the best.
Since beginning as a 14-year-old back in 2008, she’s played in five premierships, won five league best-and-fairest awards and seven club best-and-fairests, while earning four Team of the Year selections and captaining the club along the way.
In 2023 she was awarded Life Membership at the club, and in 2024 the A-Grade side appears in the box seat to win another premiership under her leadership, on the eve of yet another finals campaign.
No amount of trophies or accolades, however, can compare to the camaraderie and friendships built both on and off the court in the black white.
With her “one of a kind” mother cheering her every step of the way, the club holds an incredibly special place in her heart.
“I wouldn’t picture myself playing at any other club,” she said.
“There’s so many family-oriented personnel around here.
“Families and volunteers are what make the club and what makes it enjoyable to come down to, and celebrate the achievements.
“Whoever comes, whoever goes, the ones that have hung around are now life-long best friends and it’s a place that I’d probably call my second home.”
The unselfishness and team-first attitude was instilled in Mashado from a young age, and reinforced back in 2011 when she won the first of her five premierships.
Coming from fifth place on the ladder, overcoming challenges every step of the way while embodying the spirit of the underdog showed just how grit, determination and a team-first attitude can turn a group of friends and teammates into winners.
From there, her career has gone from strength-to-strength, along with her love for the club and what the game has brought her.
Pre-game, as members and club supporters gathered around the netball court for the formalities on Saturday, her coach Erin Bell described her as a fierce competitor, a role model and inspirational leader, that personifies all the traits of a successful leader – hardworking, resilient, passionate, commitment, loyalty, generosity and kindness.
Despite having won nearly everything there is to win as both a player and individual, Mashado still views team success as the pinnacle of what can be achieved on the netball court.
“Obviously at the end of the day everyone’s goal is a premiership,” she said.
“If you go into a season without hoping for that end success, then you’re not thinking of the right goal.”
Playing two more games to finish the year before retiring with another premiership to her name in B-Grade last year, Dowling’s club record of 302 games is well-within reach for Mashado, and if all goes to plan for the A-Grade, could culminate on grand final day with premiership medal number six hanging around her neck.
In 2016, Narre warren won A, B, C and D-Grade netball championships on the same day at then-Officer Recreation Reserve, and repeated the feat last season at the very same venue.
History repeating itself for the third time would be the perfect way to celebrate, and further cement Mashado’s legacy as one of the club’s all-time greats.
Not that it’s a priority for the captain, who simply wants to keep playing.
“I’m not one to compete on individual achievements,” she said.
“My netball will stop when I can’t play anymore.
“I take it one day at a time, one netball game at a time and when my netball time ends, it will happen one day, but until then, I’ll just continue on.”
