Announcing its senior netball coaches, the club has started an informal rock up netball training style to start building momentum after a season off in 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Courtney McIlvride is announced as the A Grade coach.

McIlvride, a teacher, said coaching and teaching do have its similarities when dealing with players both on and off the court.

"I was team manager in under-15 a couple of years ago and found it to be a really good experience," she said.

"The girls that were coaching were really good at involving me in the team.

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"Coaching is something I've always wanted to do.

"I thought about what Grade I would be interested in doing. After some thinking, I realised I would be interested in coaching A Grade at that level rather than the younger kids."

McIlvride said she decided to put herself forward for the role to be 'part of the change' she felt was needed.

"I had heard a few things and thought well why not help out and help make a difference," she said.

"I wasn't actually going to play in 2019 - I thought I needed a year off netball.

"I played and then after having 2020 off I thought why not put my hand up and see what happens."

After players having a full year off in 2020, McIlvride said she understood it wasn't going to be an easy task getting players back to the club and on the court.

"We've started talking to people a bit earlier than in past years - and not necessarily recruiting," she said.

"Those people include those that were in the team last year or were at the club previously and had kids.

"I think it's nice to get a message from someone to feel like you are wanted at the club and someone just to touch base with you.

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"I'm just gaining an understanding of what people's thoughts are, where their head is at and encouraging people to come to some preseason sessions.

"The sessions are designed to make us be as fit as anything but a way to re-engage with people again."

McIlvride said it had been a "difficult" year socially for a lot of people.

"I didn't realise how much my social life revolved around the club until I didn't have it," she said.

"I realised I didn't do anything on weekends or see anyone during the week either apart from seeing my friends at the club.

"I think a lot of people will be in the same boat as well.

"After years of spending weekends together, for it to be removed was a bit of a shock."

McIlvride said the team's goals would be set once the team was announced and discussions were had.

"I'm a believer that a goal set by a coach might not be achieved because it might not be a goal the team believes in," she said.

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"The goals we set will be within the team.

"If the goal is to win a premiership - we break that down and work out how we can achieve it.

"If the goal is to just have some fun well that changes how I am going to coach as well.

"Having a goal and not having the steps to achieve it leaves room for things to happen that you don't want to happen.

"With the people we have around the club I would hope our goal would be to make finals and whatever happens past that point happens.

"But I am really leaving it up to the team to set that goal and I will work with them to achieve it."

McIlvride said she would be working closely with the other senior netball coaches in the lead up to, and throughout the 2021 season.

Meg Walker and Jade Cross have been named as co-coaches of B Grade and Michelle Beaton coach of C Grade.

The club is hosting a number of 'rock-up netball' sessions until the end of the year.

"We were going to run just seniors but found a lot of juniors were interested in coming along as well," McIlvride said.

"We had a great turn up on week one, and it sounds positive a few more will be coming along next week."

Interested netballers are welcome to join in at Central Park, Monday 5.30pm-7pm.

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