CASEY Demons are set to play their first ever netball match on Wednesday night, as the club expands into the Victorian Netball League.
Demons head coach Robynn Pym says this game is a significant milestone for the club and an exciting event to be a part of.
“It’s good for netball, not just for Casey Demons and Melbourne, but for netball down there,” Pym told Melbourne Media.
Since first securing a license to play in the VNL, numerous people have dedicated countless hours of behind the scenes work for the Demons in order to bring this landmark game to life.
“It’s not just the pre-season, it’s a lot more than that,” she said.
“The time that it’s taken from the time they bidded to when they got their license, plus the pre-season preparation, and then your lead up.
“So it’s kind of like nine months of effort really, so it’s a really exciting moment.”
Pym is extremely passionate about the club and says its involvement with Melbourne presents a great opportunity for both parties.
“I’ve been involved in quite a few start-up clubs along my journey, so I do like to be involved with the set-up,” she said.
“It’s brand new for the whole area. As buildings are being built, the Casey Demons are being built as well.
“I know Melbourne Football Club have that presence around the Casey region and I think it’s great they have added the netball.
“When the girls are there as well it’s like, 'We’re here to stay'.
“You have the AFLW, VFLW and add a VNL license, it’s a real great presence that Melbourne are starting to have through Casey Demons in that area.
“And it’s not like we’re going to come and go.
“I think the community will really believe it even more so.”
And while making the VNL is a massive achievement in itself, Pym has no limits on where her team can go in the future.
“It’s not out of the question that in five years’ time they challenge for a license in Suncorp against the Magpies – there’s no reason they couldn’t,” she said.
“The AFL started with nine or 10 sides and now there’s 18 sides, so I can’t see why not and I think that just shows the strength of the sport.
“It’s hard to keep looking into the future, you have to stay in the here and now, but as a head coach if I’m not looking at what else we could do better next year already … we’d get left behind.”
Casey’s Round 1 game will be played against Melbourne University Lightning at the State Netball and Hockey Centre (Court 4) from 7pm on Wednesday night.
Casey Demons Fixture:
Round 1
27 March - 7:00PM
Casey Demons v Melbourne University Lightning
State Netball and Hockey Centre (Court 4)
Round 2
3 April - 9:40PM
City West Falcons v Casey Demons
State Netball and Hockey Centre (Court 1)
Round 3
10 April - 7:50PM
Casey Demons v Hawks Netball
Casey Stadium
Round 4
17 April - 8:20PM
Ariels v Casey Demons
Waverley Netball Centre
Round 5
24 April - 8:20PM
Wilson Storage Southern Saints v Casey Demons
Waverley Netball Centre
Round 6
1 May - 9:40PM
North East Blaze v Casey Demons
State Netball and Hockey Centre (Court 2)
Round 7
8 May - 7:00PM
Geelong Cougars v Casey Demons
State Netball and Hockey Centre (Court 1)
Round 8
15 May - 9:45PM
Casey Demons v Boroondara Express
State Netball and Hockey Centre (Court 3)
Round 9
22 May - 8:15PM
Casey Demons v Peninsula Waves
State Netball and Hockey Centre (Court 1)
Round 10
29 May - 8:15PM
Melbourne University Lightning v Casey Demons
State Netball and Hockey Centre (Court 1)
Round 11
5 June - 7:00PM
Casey Demons v City West Falcons
State Netball and Hockey Centre (Court 5)
Round 12
12 June - 9:40PM
Hawks Netball v Casey Demons
State Netball and Hockey Centre (Court 3)
Round 13
19 June - 9:40PM
Casey Demons v North East Blaze
State Netball and Hockey Centre (Court 3)
Round 14
26 June - 7:00PM
Boroondara Express v Casey Demons
State Netball and Hockey Centre (Court 1)
Round 15
3 July - 8:20PM
Casey Demons v Ariels
Casey Stadium
Round 16
10 July - 7:50PM
Casey Demons v Wilson Storage Southern Saints
Casey Stadium
Round 17
21 July - 5:00PM
Peninsula Waves v Casey Demons
Patterson River SC
Round 18
24 July - 8:15PM
Casey Demons v Geelong Cougars
State Netball and Hockey Centre (Court 4)
SEMI FINALS
31 July, 1st ladder v 2nd ladder
31 July, 3rd ladder v 4th ladder
PRELIMINARY FINALS
7 August
TBA v TBA
FINAL
14 August
TBA v TBA