AFTER playing at Newbridge for over two decades, Saturday’s A Grade clash against Bridgewater will mark Leah Oxford’s 300th game with the club, after she joined the mini’s team in 2000. “I can’t imagine playing anywhere else, it’s such a fantastic club to be involved in,” she said. Leah’s devotion to Newbridge continued even when she was living away. “I moved to East Gippsland for work for two years, so I played over there in that time, but whenever I had a bye, I would come back to Newbridge to fill in for a game,” Leah said. In her 25 years at the club, she has only missed two seasons, after having her two children. While her 300th game is exciting Leah’s ultimate goal is to continue playing for the club long enough that she can play a game with her daughter Evie, who is now aged four. “I’m 31 now, so I think I’ve got a few more years left in me and hopefully I’ll be able to play with my daughter one day,” Leah said. “Our family is full entrenched in the club.” Her brother Chris played his 300th game for Newbridge during the 2023 season and is still playing this season. Mandy Dixon, Leah’s mum is the current club president and her dad, Brad, is a former president. Brad, Mandy and Chris are also all life members of the club. Leah plans to continue to be involved with the club for many more years, she says, “I like to do some coaching again, I did a bit of coaching of junior and C Grade in the past so that’s on my list.” Once her children are older, she hopes they also play for the club, and she can be involved with the committee like her parents and brother. While Saturday’s game is Leah’s official 300th match, she said “they didn’t count mini’s games on the tally when I played and finals weren’t counted either, so I think it has been a few more than 300 but still exciting to hit 300 games.”
- RUBY HYLAND