Sargent leads troops

CRIPPS Waratah take on Karana Flames tonight at Hobart Netball and Sports Centre at 8.05pm in Round 5 action of the Tasmanian Netball League.

Karana and Cripps have generally matched up well over the past few years, and tonight’s game sees Karana coach Alicia Sargent face off against her old club for the first time since taking up Karana’s senior coaching role this year.

Sargent started her coaching career at Cripps and moved over to Karana’s under-19s in 2012-13, then moved back to Cripps to coach their under-19s in 2014.

“I’m looking forward to playing Cripps after coming across from them last year following Karana’s offer to coach at senior level and develop a young playing list,” Sargent said. “It’s been exciting to have a club, committee and playing group all get behind a strong vision.”

The team has already turned heads with their inspiring 72-64 win over last year’s runners-up Northern Hawks.

“Seeing these talented women develop has been wonderful, and we have a great belief that we’ve got a lot more growth to come.”

Both sides are full of young stars and have had several players away attending the National Underage Championships in Canberra.

Cripps coach Rosalie Navickas said: “It will be interesting to see how players on both teams that attended nationals last week have pulled up.

“As the season this year is only two rounds it is vital to get wins on the board and that’s what we will be planning to do tomorrow night.”

In other matches, OHA are still searching for their first win, but will have their work cut out for them when they take on AYC-Friends Arrows at Hobart Netball and Sports Centre tonight at 8.05pm.

Burnie Tigers and Devon battle it out tonight at Ulverstone Sports Centre at 8.05pm.