She has played alongside and against some of the best players in the world.
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But when former Hunter Jaeger and Sydney Swift shooter Tiffany Gilmour (nee Lincoln) takes the court for the Newcastle open netball championship decider this weekend it will be just as important.
The Souths Lions player grew up admiring the players in the Newcastle league.
“I have played in a few grand finals now but it still is a really big thing for me and I think every grand final you still get nervous and want to play your best and you put everything out on court,” Gilmour said.
“Our competition is such a great level and it is so strong, especially across the top four or five teams.
“Some of those older girls playing, I grew up watching them and thinking I want to be like them and that is why this competition is so important to me because as a child I wanted to be a Newcastle open player.”
Gilmour played 26 national netball league games for the Jaegers in 2006 and 2007 then was part of the championship-winning Sydney Swifts squad in the inaugural ANZ Championship in 2008.
She is one of several former Jaegers players in the Newcastle open competition along with Souths teammate Narelle Eather and opposition players Lara Cranfield (nee Welham), Katie Robinson (nee Bradstock) and Danielle Harvey.
They are all mothers now but Gilmour says they are all as competitive as ever.
“Before I had children, I would make sure I had good sleep the night before a game and I’d eat all of the right food,” she said. “But when you’ve got kids it’s completely different.
“You have to turn up to the game sometimes off three hours’ sleep and you don’t actually think about the game until you get there, so I think you’re a little bit more relaxed and I think that helps play better. I’m more patient now and I probably smile more on court.”
Souths have not been beaten in two seasons and will play young guns Forsythes in the decider at 2.30pm this Saturday. Forsythes beat Maryville Tavern 34-32 in the preliminary final.
“They’ve got great, strong players and they’ve played together from a really young age so that is why they are a solid unit,” Gilmour said.
