Swain set for move to Norths
SHE has conquered Toowoomba’s hockey scene, and now Elke Swain is set to test herself in one of Australia’s premier club competitions.
After guiding the Rangeville Bulldogs to five of the past eight Toowoomba A-grade women’s premierships, Swain will coach the Norths Eagles in the Brisbane Premier League in 2022.
There were many faces in the Norths playing squad familiar to Swain when she arrived for pre-season training.
Norths has a strong Toowoomba flavour with Maddie Staff, Holly Gilbar, Rene Beci, Tess Henare and Brisbane Blaze national league representative Aleisha Neumann playing for the Eagles last year.
Swain has previously coached all but one of those players either in the Toowoomba competition or in her role as Queensland Country coach.
“I love the fact there are some Toowoomba ladies in the Norths team and from my old club Rangeville. It definitely did help me decide where I wanted to coach this year. It didn’t take too much convincing to apply for the coaching position,” Swain said.
“I have been watching Norths play for years so I can’t wait to work with (Norths games record holder) Trish Hughes with her experience of Division 1 in Brisbane, plus of course Aleisha and Maddie my ‘doggies’ from Toowoomba. I have watched these two play pretty much since they could pick up a hockey stick.
“Success will come from the whole team, but it does help when some of the players know what kind of coach I am. I am a coach who loves feedback from my players.”
As well as leading Queensland Country to consecutive Australian Country Hockey Championships gold medals in 2019 and 2020, Swain is coach of the Australian Masters Over-45 women’s team.