In fact the Australian National League due to come on board in November once again has snubbed regional areas and denied us of our own team.

So where does that all leave the local players?

Former Jaegers Tiffany Lincoln and Emma Koster who were both vital players in the Jaegers lineup over the past two seasons, have only received limited court time in the new league – in fact neither played in front of their home fan in the two Trans Tasman games.

For Tiffany who has given so much service to Newcastle Netball from a very young age, the opportunity to play in the former national league in her home town was a dream come true.

No more trips down the F3 to train only home court games in front of family, friends and fans.

She had to accept the umpire’s decision when the league folded but was thrown a lifeline to a netball career when NSW Swifts coach Julie Fitzgerald offered her a spot on the Swifts roster.

The five times weekly, two hour trip down the F3 again became a reality. Couple this with her job as a hairdresser starting at 7.30am each day and making time to spend with her family and friends but you don’t hear Tiffany complain. She loves it.

Right now though, she is recovering from a bout of pneumonia probably due to the overloading of her immune system.

She is on the mend as her lung capacity returns to the level required for an elite athlete to function at that optimal level.

Then the journey begins again.

But this time her mum will step into the driver’s seat and accompany Tiffany down the freeway.

The Hunter is proud of Tiffany and indeed all those before her including Raegan Jackson and Danielle Harvey who know only too well the sacrifices needed to play the game they love.