THE EIGHTIES (1980 – 1990)
Enter Margaret Angove
In 1980, Margaret Angove was appointed A Grade Coach. She went on to coach Contax for 16 years, until the formation of the National Netball League in 1997 when she was appointed to coach of the AAMI Thunderbirds, a position she held until 2006. Also in 1980, junior uniforms changed to fawn wrap around skirts and sky blue t-shirts. Trial fees were introduced due to player drop out after team announcements. In 1981, our Junior 1 team played their Grand Final at Apollo Stadium as a curtain raiser to the A Grade final. Margaret Angove was appointed as State Coach, and Jenny Bonnet as State Under 21 Coach. Player’s skirts were upgraded to fawn pleated wrap around skirts in 1984. The player’s shirts remained sky blue. Contax were invited to share Pulteney Old Scholars Club rooms on South Terrace after Saturday matches. By 1984, Contax had climbed the ladder to a Grand Final appearance. Future Club captain Karen Schulz made her debut appearance. Contax lost the Grand Final by 8 goals to the then-dominant Tango club. In 1985, Contax shared the ANZ Social Club rooms after matches for drinks and fundraising activities. The club also accepted to nominate 2 intellectually disabled teams competing in H and J grades. Wendy Boundy (nee Noel) was awarded life membership of the Contax Netball Club. 1986 produced the club’s 3rd A-Grade premiership. Current Australian captain, Kathryn Harby played an unforgettable last quarter as a 16 year old in her debut Grand Final, to assist her team in clinching a one-goal win over hot favourites, Tango. Contax also won the Mazda Cup (pre season competition) in this year. The A-Grade team traded the fawn skirt for a sky blue pleated skirt, and sky blue polo shirt. The rest of the club switched to this uniform in 1987. Jan Noel was awarded life membership for her outstanding contribution to the Club. In 1988, the A-Grade team faced a rebuilding year with the retirement of Club Captain Rhonda Kraft, and the defection of Marlene Elliott and Wendy Frost to Tango. With a court full of youngsters, including teenagers Sarah Sutter and Sarah Angove, the club triumphed in extra time over hot tip Garville. 20 year-old Jane Angove goaled with only seconds remaining to clinch the one goal victory. This was the first of many famous drawn Grand Finals, and the beginning of the rivalry between two great clubs, Contax and Garville. 1989 saw the promotion of Vicki Neale to the A Grade team, and the recruitment of Olympic basketballer, Julie Nykiel to the club. Contax won the Pre Season Dairy Vale Cup, but lost the Grand Final by 1 goal to Garville. Life Membership was awarded to Margaret Angove. In 1990, it was Contax’s turn again. Contax nailed a 2-goal victory over Garville at Apollo Stadium to take out premiership no 5. With little time remaining, the Contax players applied freeze-ball tactics, which were later questioned by the netball public, in particular the Garville fans. Class A Jewellers became our naming rights sponsor, and Contax were now known as Class A Contax. Local radio and TV identity, Greg Rees became the club’s No 1 ticket holder, as A-grade players were awarded individual player sponsorships. The club also obtained use of the Keswick and Wayville Tennis Clubrooms for the winter months. [hr]