Kate Withers
Sonia Williams is a doyen of the Yinnar Football Netball Club because of her tireless work over nearly three decades, but her most recent achievement has well and truly elevated her to legend status.
Williams, who has been a mainstay at the club for 28 years, played her 400th game of netball last weekend in the Magpies’ D grade side.
She came to the club in 1991 as an 18-year-old and has worn almost every hat there is to wear along the way.
She is a five-time premiership player, has served as vice-president, netball president, netball secretary, won the Ross Sewell Best Club Person award and became a life member in 2004.
She was hampered with a calf injury that sidelined her for three years from 2013-2015 but her off-court duties were always fulfilled.
“I’ve been bar manager, canteen coordinator … I’ve done lots really – right down to cleaning the toilets,” Williams said.
Coach and friend Lauren Sewell said Sonia was an integral part of the day-to-day operations of the club.
“She’s been around for nearly 30 years,” Sewell said.
“Generally, if anyone’s got a question they go to her and she’s got the answer, and being from Yinnar she’s a huge community person as well, which brings even more to the club.
“She’s a shooter and she doesn’t miss, she’s always on her A-game and considering her age, she plays extremely well and can easily run a whole game.”
At 46, Williams admits her best playing days are behind her but said the people at Yinnar kept her in the game.
“I’ve made lots of friends along the way,” she said.
“It’s a social scene as well, and I’m born and bred in Yinnar, so the community side of it is really big as well.”
Williams has had a run in every grade except A grade, and said one of the keys to her longevity was consistency.
“I know the levels of intensity are different, but training is important for me and I’m there every week unless work gets in the way or I’m sick,” she said.
“I have a gym at work that I’m a member of so I go to a couple of classes a week there.”
She also coaches the club’s under 15 side and said it formed a “big part” of her life.
“I don’t have kids or anything that play and it’s where I’ve met a lot of friends, and I just like being a part of the community,” she said.
On whether she will go around again next year, Williams said she would “like to think I can get back” but admitted she played this year largely so she could tick off the 400-game milestone.
“But I think my days as a permanent player in a team are probably over,” she said.
“There’s enough young kids coming through and that’s where the future of any club is.”
