Rumbalara’s playing coach celebrated her 200th A-grade netball match during her side’s round seven victory over Mulwala.
On her home court, Bamblett was surrounded by friends, her three daughters and the Rumbalara community as she and the team secured a 23-goal victory.
Bamblett is the first Rumba player to crack the 200 A-grade games mark as she further strengthens her impact on the Shepparton-based club.
The gun veteran said Saturday’s celebrations were made even more special given who she shared the court with.
“I was a bit overwhelmed because I didn’t know that was the milestone (I was breaking),” Bamblett said.
“It has taken a long time to get there, but I think what made it even more special is I got to play with my oldest daughter (Jaydah Wanganeen) for one quarter.
“That made it even more beautiful, I must say.
“The A-grade team came with me for the run through, which was great.
“We do that (stuff) together; one in all in.”
The Rumbalara defender also masterminded her side’s A-grade premiership victory last season.
Her netball nous has been evident during her 17-year — give or take a season away here and there — tenure at Rumba.
Her brilliance on and off the court mixed with a litany of other hard-working talents, has led to the club losing only one match (due to a clerical error) since the start of last year.
Bamblett was part of Rumba’s first flag in 2008 and was crucial in leading them to their second, helping her players overcome the demons of heartbreak in the 2016 and 2022 grand finals.
Another family member celebrated a milestone game for Rumba on Saturday as Bamblett said her cousin Nakiah Bamblett played her 150th club match.
“It was a really special milestone for (Nakiah) because she is still young too and she was part of the A-grade premiership team, which is even sweeter,” she said.
“Even though I am originally from Melbourne — my dad is from Shepp and I played my juniors in Melbourne — Rumba makes it feel like this is my home.
“The community and this club is beautiful with its family aspects.”
Rumbalara currently sits in first place on the A-grade ladder with a record of 7-0 as it searches for back-to-back flags in 2025.
Bamblett said her celebrations, while still on ice, were of the muscle recovery variety and not the traditional milestone champagne flute.
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