- Zoe
Dessent into the history books
On Saturday, July 9, Tori Dessent took to the court for her 100th A Grade netball game with Sale Football-Netball Club, becoming the first player in the club’s history to do so.
Originally a basketballer, Dessent started playing netball for the Magpies at the age of 16.
“As I grew up, a lot of my friends started playing netball, so I started playing netball because that’s what my friends were doing,” she said.
“In Year 11, I was just filling in for games here and there; then in Year 12, I started playing more consistently.”
Showing true dedication to netball and Sale FNC, Dessent would drive home from Melbourne to play every weekend between 2017 and 2021.
Few people would show such consistent dedication, but Dessent’s love for the game and the Sale FNC community fuelled her energy.
“I really enjoy the game,” Dessent said.
“I also really like the whole club community with country footy/netball, so that has been a huge driving factor keeping me coming back to play.
“Plus, my family is down in Sale, so coming back to play has been a good connection for the family as well.”
Tori is not the only Dessent involved with Sale FNC. Brothers Jordan and Brad Dessent are two prominent Sale players, and her father, Justin Dessent, was the previous club president.
Of the 100 games, one was an A Grade grand final, which ended up being a premiership in 2013.
As well as playing, Dessent has also contributed to the Magpies through coaching, and her service saw her inducted as a life member of Sale FNC in 2019.
These days, she is returning home when she can, filling in on the odd occasion.
“The club is so accommodating,” Dessent said.
“They always welcome me back, which is really just amazing.”