Thunderbird Dan the man with a plan

DAN Ryan goes about his work oblivious to the fact he is the only male at the training session.

Surrounded by 12 players and three female coaches, the Adelaide Thunderbirds’ assistant coach’s focus is on delivering knowledge he hopes will aid the team in its bid for ANZ Championship glory when it faces the Queensland Firebirds in the grand final at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday.

The captain of the national men’s team, who grew up in Little River, is also proud to be wearing pink, especially now his uniform is not a women’s cut as was the case last year in his debut season with the team.

‘ ‘ Because I ’ v e been around netball for so long, I am used to being the lone male or one of very few,’’ Ryan said. ‘‘But male, female, old or young, it all becomes irrelevant.

‘‘If you are good at what you do, that’s all that matters. The girls are a pretty good bunch and we all get along pretty well. There’s often a bit of banter and we have a few laughs, but everyone has such a great respect for each other that when it comes down to business everyone slips into gear and does whatever it takes to get the job done.’’

Head coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson demands quality people in her program and she wanted Ryan to work with the goalers.

His passion for the sport was sparked 20 years ago when he was courtside while his mum played, as well as watching ABC-TV’s netball coverage on Saturday afternoons. After playing his first game as an eight-year-old, Ryan made his debut for Victoria seven years later and then Australia at 18.

The goalshooter took up coaching at high school to earn pocket money and has since worked with the Victorian development pathways before being lured to Adelaide. He was the Geelong Advertiser’s netball writer in 2008.

Woodlands- Thompson has always appreciated the men’s game and the benefits gained from playing against men and she offered Ryan a role.

Last year he had to balance coaching with his commentary role with Channel 10, though this season his surprise omission from the ANZ Championship broadcast team has been the Thunderbirds’ gain.

‘‘It’s really important to me to repay the faith Jane has shown and hopefully open the door for others to have a go,’’ Ryan said.