Katunga’s Rachael Howden will play her 550th club game this weekend when the Swans take on Picola United.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
There are milestones and then there are monuments.
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This weekend, as Katunga strides onto home court in the red and white, Rachael Howden will clock up game number 550 for the Swans in the Picola District Netball League.
And like most of the other 549 before it, she’ll be wearing the centre bib, chasing loose balls, linking up play, and doing all the quiet, relentless things that win you matches, premierships and a place in folklore.
Because if 500 was rare air, 550 is where hens store teeth.
Howden began her journey at Katunga aged nine and, though she probably didn’t have a choice whether or not she’d play netball there, there were two decisions left entirely in her hands: what position she’d play and whether she’d stay.
“I was born into the club really,” she said.
“Mum and Dad are both members, so I’ve grown up there since I was little. It’s like my second family.
“In juniors, I started off as a goaler. I am very glad I'm not any more, as I've played all my senior career in the midcourt.”
Rachael Howden is building to her already decorated legacy at Katunga.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
She left the nest just once to briefly call Congupna home, but the magnetism of the Swans brought her back.
Her own contributions — two A-grade premierships, six A-grade best-and-fairests, multiple league accolades — have since transcended records and statistics and the Howden name will be engraved in Katunga’s success forever.
Literally.
The A-grade best-and-fairest trophy bears her name and, though Howden has now dropped down a couple of divisions, she’s a living example that form is temporary, class is permanent.
After guiding Katunga to the C-grade flag last season, the Swans stalwart has laced up for another year and has led her charges to an unbeaten 14-game run and a repeat premiership looking likely.
“It's been a really good season backing up from playing in the premiership last year,” she said.
“We've pretty much got the same side with a few extras added in, so it's been nice to be able to build on that.”
Like when she first started, Howden’s Swans are in cruise control.
Katunga's Rachael Howden in action during the 2024 C-grade grand final.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
She was bled into success at Katunga, winning a pair of junior flags before clinching her first A-grade premiership in 1998 and collecting another three years later.
But it doesn’t paint the whole picture.
Katunga hasn’t won an A-grade flag since 2001, yet the club’s resilience in the two-and-a-half decades since is another reason why Howden has stuck around for the ride.
“There’s definitely been years where we weren't as successful as others,” she said.
“It’s always more enjoyable when you're winning, but I think it shows a good fighting spirit when you can still get out on the court and not necessarily win, but just enjoy the game and those that you're playing with and continue to develop those around you.”
So for a player who’s been through it all, what does game 550 mean for her?
“It's definitely just another game for me,” Howden said.
“Personal milestones aren't really something that I think about at all.
“It's just going in, week in, week out, rocking up and playing your best and doing the best for your club and your team.”
But 550 isn’t “just another game”.
It’s the kind of number that deserves its own statue.
Yet when she runs out for Katunga in Saturday’s C-grade clash with Picola United, Howden won’t be playing for the fanfare.
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