Fri Sep 13 07:16:00 UTC 2024: ## Charlton Netballers Aim for Grand Final Victory in Memory of Teammate
**Charlton, Victoria** – The Charlton Navies A-grade netball team will face a formidable challenge in this weekend’s North Central Netball Association grand final against Wedderburn, but they’re fueled by an emotional drive to win in honor of their late teammate, Maddi Fitzpatrick.
Maddi, a talented dual-code athlete, tragically passed away in March after battling a rare sarcoma cancer. The Navies dedicated their entire 2024 season to her memory, facing a challenging season punctuated by injuries and emotional strain.
Despite early struggles, the Navies rallied, inspired by Maddi’s spirit. They secured a finals berth, then overcame Nullawil in the semi-final and Boort in the preliminary final, leading them to the grand final.
“All season we’ve had that push to keep doing it for Maddi and to show what we can do and show how important she was for our club,” said Navies coach Annie Hockey.
The team’s resilience mirrored Maddi’s own fight. The Navies’ journey has been marked by moments of remembrance, including dedicating awards and holding fundraisers in Maddi’s name.
“She was always outgoing and always had a great laugh … just a fun girl,” said Navies goal shooter Chloe Walsh, who has fond memories of Maddi. “And she loved netball, just like her mum. We are blessed to have Fitzy [Maddi’s mother, Kim] on the sidelines with us.”
The Navies are aiming for a grand final victory not just for themselves, but for Maddi’s legacy.
“Maddi would be insanely proud of us, where we’ve got to and where we have ended up,” Walsh said. “I feel we have just come together and found our strongest full-court seven at the right time of the season, so hopefully we can get across the line.”
First Piper 