Pre-season push
Arun of bad luck that takes its toll on a sporting club’s season success is never ideal.
In many instances, however, it can become a strong motivator – pushing a team’s determination to new heights and shaping its season approach to become more adaptable and consistent.
Noradjuha-quantong’s A Grade side is an example of a club that has had its fair share of ill luck in recent Horsham District netball seasons; most significant being a string of long-term player injuries.
In the lead-up to the 2020 competition, A Grade coach Fiona Rowe said the focus was on maintaining a consistent and settled team to drive success and see it re-emerge into finals contention – an achievement it last made in 2017.
“We’re aiming to have a settled team this year and give it a red hot go every week,” she said.
“We want to create good teams right throughout the whole club, from seniors down to juniors, so we can all push each other, and so far, it’s been really good. Everyone is working really hard and pushing really hard.”
Bombers senior netball director Kylee Walter echoed Rowe, with fingers crossed that serious injuries could be avoided this year.
“We have had a very bad run, so hopefully we don’t have an injury come up again this year,” she said.
“But everything’s being running really well. We have good numbers, and everyone has a great energy about them. There’s a good atmosphere at the club.”
Rowe, leading her charges with the help of assistant coach Megan Byrne, is a former long-term player at Noradjuha-quantong, having previously played in and coached premiership-winning teams for the club.
She said she was excited to put her coaching hat back on alongside Byrne.
“I have played and coached out at Noradjuha-quantong prior to this, before I had kids,” she said.
“So, I played A Grade and coached juniors and won numerable premierships in both.
“Now my children are a bit older I’m getting back into it.
“I’m super excited to lead the girls this season and Megan will be great to work with. We’re very similar in how we work.”
Rowe said the Bombers were in the process of squad selection.
She said it was difficult to give names of girls who might appear in the 2020 A Grade squad, but confirmed both Byrne and Stefanie Cooper, who is joining the club after having a child, would take on senior roles.
She said a practice match against
Nhill tomorrow would help club leaders confirm the final team.
“We’ve had a lot of girls at training. It’s been really good so far,” she said.
“We’ve done a fair bit of fitness, incorporating agility and speed, as well as a bit of court work and focusing on getting the girls match-day ready.
“Overall, we’ll have a good mix of girls. There are a few returning players, including a couple of girls coming back after pregnancy or injury.
“We’d also like to filter some of junior players into seniors during the season.”
Noradjuha-quantong will battle it out against Harrow-balmoral in its first match of the season.