The small country town has achieved a rare feat this season, with every single netball grade qualifying for the Murray Netball League finals.
Netball has become more of a full-blown civic enterprise than a sport for Tongala, with the Blues’ round-ball brigade leading the club’s line forward for quite some time now.
No matter how deep they go, nothing can be taken away from the Blues’ latest milestone - and there’s few prouder than Tongala A-grade playing coach Grace Hammond.
“It’s bloody awesome that we’re able to have such a small town represented in such a way through the netball,” Hammond said.
“We’re very fortunate that we’ve always been reasonably successful at Tongala, but we can’t remember the last teams that all teams made it.
“It just goes back to the type of community club that we are. We’re all there to have fun and enjoy our netball, and we are very fortunate to have the talent we do in Tongala right from under-13s through to A-grade.
“It’s a big win for a small town and we’re all really excited to step into finals this week and see where we can go from there.”
Tongala hasn’t scraped its sides through to knock out action.
Three Blues outfits – B, C and C-reserve – secured the minor premierships.
The kicker is, none of those sides lost a game all year.
It’s the stuff of fable, and it boils down to the alchemy balance of culture and consistency producing tangible results across the board.
From the juniors to the top, Tongala’s sides have played with the same energy and connection that define the club.
Hammond believes it’s no accident.
“Obviously consistency is a big thing, but I think it’s the type of club we are,” she said.
“I feel we’re an enjoyable club to be around and that brings success in itself; if you’re happy with we’re you are and what you’re doing, then you’re going to perform.
“It’s just the vibe as a club right across from 13s to A-grade, it doesn’t matter who or what side you’re in, we stick by our club motto of one in, all in - and I definitely think that’s helped bring the success.”
As for Hammond’s own side, Tongala’s A-grade charges face a finals campaign where the competition is razor-sharp.
Entering the last home and away round, the Blues looked to have fourth spot locked down but surrendered it to Moama, a side that could well have missed the cut if not for some final-day heroics.
“It just shows how close the competition is and I definitely think anyone in that top six can win the flag at the end of the day,” Hammond said.
“You obviously have Rumba and Nathalia that have set the benchmark, but I’m a believer that come finals, it’s about who shows up on the day.
“I have full faith that my girls can show up and get the job done; I know it’s not going to be easy and we have to play our absolute best netball to get it done.
“But if we can go in with the focus on taking one week at a time and one quarter at a time, then we can do anything.”
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