A trip down memory lane with…
CARISSA TOMBS OAM (NEE DALWOOD) In this issue of Swifts Insider we catch up with former Sydney Sandpipers Captain Carissa Tombs. The midcourter, who helped NSW win seven straight National Championships between 1988 and 1994, was a part of the Australian team that claimed the 1991 World Championships in Sydney, and was rewarded with an Order of Australia medal alongside her teammates.
3. What do you remember of your National League debut?
Carissa played for various incarnations of Sydney teams in the Superleague from 1989-1991 and 19931996 (Sydney Tigers, Sydney Pulsar Panthers, Sydney Pulsars, Sydney Electricity Hot Shots and Sydney Energy Australia).
4. What was the highlight of your netball career?
She notched 94 Test caps for Australia, the second highest number of caps for Australia at the time of her retirement, which included a Commonwealth Games Gold Medal (1998), and three World Championship crowns (1991, 1995 and 1999). Carissa retired in 1999 after her final game in the green and gold dress, the 1999 World Championship Grand Final.
I do have the world’s worst memory. I don’t even know who was coaching! It might have been Anne Sargeant... I can remember things like funny stuff that happened on tour but don’t remember details like who we played or what country we were in! I’ve got several highlights, it’s hard to choose but 1991 [World Championship victory] because it was in front of a home crowd and I was only young into the team and I got to take the court and I was fortunate enough to play in that [Final] so that is a highlight. Another highlight is the last game that I played in
[the 1999 World Championship Grand Final], when we just beat New Zealand in the final – in New Zealand – which is always a bonus, and that was pretty special too because we came from behind and we weren’t expected to win and we had this great comeback in the last quarter. They are the two that stick out for me.
5. What is one thing you miss about netball and one thing you don’t?
I miss my mates within the team, the laughs we used to have. Obviously playing for your country. The things I don’t miss, I had to sit on the weekend and watch my daughter do a beep test and it just sent shudders down my spine! I do not miss that beep test!
Since her retirement Carissa has been inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions (you can see one of her Australian playing dresses hanging upstairs at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre!), the Netball NSW Hall of Fame and Australian Netball Hall of Fame.
1. How did you get started in netball?
My mum was coaching netball and playing netball. As a five-year-old I used to go down there and sit by the sideline and wait for someone to leave early or run off to the bathroom so I could take the court. So I was just always around the sport and as soon as I was able, well, old enough to play, which was six, was when I started.
2. Which player did you most admire and why?
I always admired Sandra Edge from New Zealand. I just loved the way she played. She just had a real flair with her game and I had the honour of being able to play her a few times...It kills me to be saying that – a New Zealand player!
from the NSW Swifts The NSW Swifts would like to thank the ongoing support from our family of Partners, in particular those who have provided some amazing prizes on offer to the fans:
• • •
2014 Partners Challenge • The Sydney Boulevard Hotel – Overnight Accommodation Package in a Deluxe Harbour View Room with full buffet breakfast for two worth $300 • Taronga Zoo Family Passes (4 tickets) thanks to NSW Swifts’ Principal Partner QBE worth $120
2014 RED ZONE Members Draw • The Edge in Hair $100 voucher in-salon • Winston Hills Mall – $50 shopping voucher • Imagination Graphics – $200 voucher for Graphic Design or Printing • Cartridge World – Printer & Voucher worth $150 • NSW Swifts Pack
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INSIDER
SKINS – $150 online voucher Coast2Coast – $150 merchandise voucher The Athlete’s Foot – $150 in-store voucher
VOL 7 ISSUE 3 | visit nswswifts.com.au
Nancy taking part in the Half Time Partner Challenge during Round 4