Sheena "Chook" Atkin plays her 200th game for Southern Peninsula this Sunday, the only club she has ever known.

Atkin, the PowerAde Lady Sharks captain, got the nickname "Chook" 11 years ago when as a 15-year-old she put on an oversized Southern Peninsula uniform for the first time. The Sharks played in the Country Victoria Invitational Basketball League back then, the forerunner of the Big V.

"My uniform was much too big," Aitken said. "I had chicken legs, still do, and the name stuck."

She has too: through several coaches, dozens of teammates and a near premiership in 1999.

"I'm a loyal one," she laughed. "I've been with Southern Peninsula since Under 12s. I live in Mornington. I love it here."

Atkin says she has hung around for one reason: she loves the game.

"I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it. I still enjoy it. If it was up to my heart and mind, I would play forever. But the knees won't let me go on much longer."

Atkin said that if Southern Peninsula won the Big V division two premiership - the Sharks are fourth on the ladder heading into the final week of the season - she may pull the pin on her career.

"I may decide to go out on top, but it's hard to imagine life without playing. I've gained a lot of friends had great experiences over the years."

If she does call it a day, Atkin will still remain close to the game. She works for Basketball Victoria, co-ordinating its extensive Aussie Hoops program across the metropolitan area, and says she'd like to coach a junior team in the next year or two.

Through all the wins and losses at Southern Peninsula, one game stands out: the 1999 grand-final loss to Bulleen by a point.

"We lost just one game in the regular season, to Bulleen, and then we lost to them again by a point. It still hurts," Atkin said.

Atkin's role under first-year coach Glenn Shannon has changed slightly. With others able to put the ball in the basket on a more consistent basis, she's no longer being called on to deliver the bulk of the side's scoring.

This year Atkin is averaging seven points, five rebounds and three assists a game, playing solid defence and using her experience to help steer the club, under first-year coach Glenn Shannon, in the right direction.

"The best thing about Glenn is that he knows we are a developing side. The young girls are developing and getting playing time," Atkin said. "The girls have stuck it out. They train, work hard and have put in three and four years of hard work. The younger players look to me at times. They're half the reason I still play. They need the older ones like me around."

Article courtesy of www.bigv.com.au