Mackay netball legend Kelly Beckingham will take a trip down memory lane when the CQ University Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball Carnival returns to the region this month.
It was more than two decades ago when the former St Patrick’s College Mackay student etched her name in the record books after receiving the official Player of the Carnival award at the second-ever QISSN event staged in Rockhampton back in 2001.
Then known as Kelly Park, the talented goal attack produced superb performances on court against the best schoolgirl netballers in the State to take out the coveted prize.
For 17-year-old Kelly it was a proud moment and to this day remains one of the highlights of her decorated netball career.
“We finished in the top five that year and stepped up against some very strong teams in the ultimate test for any young netballer,” recalled Kelly who still resides in East Mackay.
“To win the Player of the Carnival award that year was a huge thrill and honour and a moment that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life,” she revealed.
“I can remember lifting this big perpetual trophy and also receiving a jewellery voucher.”
Twelve months earlier, Kelly lined up for St Patrick’s College in the inaugural QISSN Carnival held in Bundaberg.
“They were good times and gave us girls lasting memories of an amazing sporting experience,” she added.
It was around that time that Kelly had gained her representative spurs with the North Queensland Under 18s Invitational team that competed at the National Indoor Netball Championships.
From the age of eight when she started her netball career on the Moranbah grass courts, the fledgling goal shooter was destined for bigger things.
Kelly hails from good sporting stock – her mother Lyn Prince (Park) was a State Netball League goal shooter while her father Bryan Park shone at AFL down in Victoria and later with the North Mackay Suns.
After linking with the Magpies from the age of 13, the former Mercy and St Patrick’s College ace proved a regular in the Mackay junior representative teams and later with the Whitsunday Sharks in the State League.
Kelly has thoroughly enjoyed her 30-year netball journey which also includes an eight year stint as president of the Cougars Netball Club in the Mackay Premier League and long association with North Queensland Invitational sides for National Indoor Netball events.
She still plays the odd social game for DAS Netball Club but devotes her time to family these days - raising sons Kodi,12, and six-year-old Lockie and pouring her energies into her Thrive Bookkeeping business in Mackay.
Does Kelly have any tips for the current wave of St Patrick’s netballers preparing for QISSN?
“Just enjoy the week and the exposure the girls and boys will get to top level netball – it is all worth it” she advised.
Kelly will be a special guest at the official opening of the 2022 CQUniversity Confraternity Rugby League and QISSN Netball Carnivals on Sunday June 26 at the Mackay Showground.
By Chris Karas
Kelly Beckingham as a teenager, then known as Kelly Park
