MILLICENT has been a class above all other Western Border netball sides since the turn of the century and veteran Donna Denton has been an integral part of that success.
In her first season leading the Saints’ A Grade side in 2000, Denton helped break a 15-year premiership drought.
Since then Millicent has produced two decades of dominance by winning 15 of the next 19 grand finals, which includes the last 11 in a row.
Denton played a key role in each victory, with many of them as captain or coach.
She has become one of the most decorated players in Western Border history with 400-plus games and nine best and fairest awards under her belt.
The 43-year-old has also represented WBNA on countless occasions, but her netball journey began in a different environment.
Denton’s first step on a court took place in the Millicent Netball Association junior competition at the age of eight.
She played for a club called the Dodgers and quickly became accustomed to premiership glory.
Having won a couple grand finals, Denton looks back at her first experience of the sport fondly.
“The Millicent Netball Association was where it started before the Saints came into Western Border,” she said.
“The association was buzzing full of teams and junior grades.
“It was run very well in the Millicent township and led by a hard working committee.”
Denton quickly progressed from the now defunct Millicent township courts to McLaughlin Park and suddenly found herself rubbing shoulders with some of the best players in the region.
She made her Western Border debut in 1990 as part of Millicent’s 15 and Under and B Grade – now A Reserve – teams.
In B Grade, Denton played alongside sister Jodie and the pair claimed a premiership in their first senior campaign together.
Just one year later, Donna’s A Grade career began at the tender age of 14.
Despite the rapid rise, Denton was also occupied by several other sports, but always knew where her loyalties lied.
“Through school I played Saturday morning tennis and softball, but netball and basketball were my two major sports,” she said.
“I played basketball for SA Country and went to Perth and Tasmania, but I knew I wanted to be at netball every week.
“It was not until I turned 16 that netball became my main focus.”
After making her mark at Millicent by being named WBNA best and fairest as a teenager, Denton moved to Adelaide to complete a teaching degree in 1995.
However, netball remained a major part of her life.
Denton played for the Cougars in the State League Netball competition for the next four years.
She enjoyed a stellar period as a key part of the team’s 1999 premiership win, while also representing South Australia at both Under 19 and 21 levels.
Those feats gained her selection in an Australian 19 and Under talent squad.
The national call up allowed Denton to hone her skills at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra with the best in the business.
Denton said the lessons learnt at the highest level proved invaluable when she returned to McLaughlin Park.
“It was a great experience,” she said.
“When I went to Canberra, it was just about learning next level training and nutrition advice.
“When I returned to Millicent, I was really keen to pick up the training standard and bring new ideas that I had learnt.”
The makeover proved to be a masterstroke, as the Saints stormed to their first A Grade flag since 1985.
Denton said the triumph was extra special having overcome the odds with a tight team during a happy time of her life.
“I think all your premierships are special, but the first after the club not winning one for 15 years has to be a stand out,” she said.
“For me it was more about coming back into the club after I just moved home and got married.
“I am very grateful to win because it was with a lot of my best friends that I grew up with.
“We were complete underdogs and no one thought we would win, but we created so many great memories to laugh about now.”
The rest is history, as Millicent repeated its success on another 15 occasions.
During this golden era, Denton has been lucky enough to stand side by side with her family.
In last year’s grand final she played alongside her eldest daughter Lucy and nieces Hannah and Paige Nitschke.
Denton said she would not have been able to make it this far without the support of her loved ones.
“The reason I have been able to keep going is because my husband Chris has been so supportive of me playing and coaching for all of these years with our girls growing up,” she said.
“My sister played for at least 10 years and my daughters Lucy, Abbey and Emily are keen little netballers too.
“I have not only been able to play with Lucy, but also my nieces Hannah and Paige.
“To play with family has been pretty special.”
With more than three decades of experience, Denton said she is now eager to turn a bigger focus towards coaching and give back to the game which has provided her with so much.
“I just love my coaching and want to see the club keep doing well,” she said.
“I really enjoyed coaching from the sidelines a lot more last year and that is the role I want to have in the future.”
