250th milestone for A-grade 'veteran'

North Albany veteran Kelly Burlikowski will reach a significant milestone on Saturday when she makes her 250th A-grade appearance for Redbacks in round 5 of the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade competition.

Burlikowski played her first A-grade match for the Redbacks when she was 15 and has overcome a recent knee reconstruction to still be playing at the top level at the age of 36.

She spent two years on the sidelines recovering from her knee reconstruction and left the Redbacks for a couple of years to play for breakaway side Sonix, but said she had loved every minute of her time with the club.

“I love the sport and I still have the passion to play. I started playing A-grade when I was still at school and Redbacks have been a good team to play for,” Burlikowski said.

She said her school teacher at the time, Jo Stevens, got her playing A-grade, where they had played countless seasons together.

Burlikowski said teammate Tracey Menegola had played alongside her for most of her 250 games.

“I don’t know how many games Tracey has played, but she’s been in the side since I started playing,” she said.

Over the years, Burlikowski has represented the LGSHA on many occasions at country week level, but has also played indoor hockey at a State level.

On the eve of her 250th game, Burlikowski said she wanted to continue playing the sport for as long as she could.

“Over the years there have been quite a few players lost to illness and other things,” she said.

“I am just glad to still be playing.”

The Redbacks will face the Tigers in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday starting at 4.05pm, with both sides earning seven points from their first four fixtures.

“We are going really well, we have got quite a good team,” Burlikowski said.

“This year we have had an influx of players and we have got a couple of older players as well.”

In the other women’s fixture, Spencer Park clash with Manypeaks at 2.40pm.

Park meet Peaks in the men’s A-grade competition on Saturday night at 5.30pm before the Redbacks face the Tigers at 6.55pm.