LAHARUM has issued a statement of intent ahead of the 2020 Horsham District netball league season, signing two star recruits from a neighboring Wimmera club.
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Horsham Demons Faith McKenzie and Olivia Jones have joined Laharum, strengthening the reigning premiers' bid for back-to-back A Grade premierships.
The duo said friendships cultivated playing basketball with the Horsham Lady Hornets was the main reason for the move.
"We have had quite a few seasons with Bec (McIntyre) and Caito (Dumesny), and we have had a lot of fun on the basketball court," Jones said.
"I think we are going to love that opportunity now to get on the netball court with them too, and just really enjoy our netball together."
McKenzie, who played her juniors with Horsham and was a star goalkeeper in the club's A Grade side last season, said she was excited about the change.
"It was a little bit tough (to make the decision), but it should be good," she said.
"We play basketball with a lot of the girls out here and it's really fun, so we know everyone and it seems like a good club.
"We're keen to get into it."
The duo both played in Horsham's grand final loss to Minyip-Murtoa last season, and Jones also featured in the side's heartbreaking one-goal loss to the Horsham Saints in the 2018 Wimmera Netball Association grand final.
Jones said she was hoping for better luck at Laharum, after the Mountain Maids won their first A Grade premiership in the club's history last year.
"We probably don't want to bring Horsham's luck from the last few years to the club," Jones joked.
"We'll just get out there and do what we can to help Laharum hopefully go back-to-back.
"Coming into a new league with new players, I think it's going to be a really good challenge.
"With all new players, they don't know us and we don't know them, so it's going to be a bit new, but I think it will be good for both of us."
Finding a place for Jones in the reigning premiers' starting seven has been made easier by the absence of Zandria Malone, who will miss the start of the season through pregnancy.
Malone was brilliant in her first season with Laharum in the mid-court, the position where Jones also thrives.
As for McKenzie, she was open to a variety of different roles.
"I don't really mind," she said. "I like to think I'm quite a versatile player at both ends, so wherever I fit in is okay with me."
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