New-look side under Lang
New Edenhope-apsley coach Leonie Lang expects her A Grade outfit to be competitive in 2017 despite several off-season departures.
Lang has taken over the reins from Sarah Jude, who coached the Saints for the past two seasons and is yet to confirm whether she will remain with the playing group this year.
The Saints are coming off an up and down season, with see-sawing player availability resulting in a revolving line-up.
The Saints made it to the preliminary final before falling short of Natimuk United.
Lang said the club would field a new-look A Grade this season.
“We’ve lost a few of the girls who were travelling back to play, including Teagan Lang, Laura Mcdonald and Sacha Mcdonald,” she said.
All three are talented netballers, with Sacha recently chosen as vice-captin of a 17 and under Victorian side to compete in National Netball Championships.
Reigning A Grade best and fairest Alex Lang will remain at the club, bolstering the team’s defensive capabilities, while versatile Krystal Schapel will again play roles in goals and the midcourt.
“We have a couple of players coming back from injury, which will be excellent, including Monica Van Dyk – she will soon be a Close as she’s getting married this year, which is exciting,” Lang said.
“She played at the start of last season.”
The club has also welcomed back key defender Cynthia Watt after a year off to travel.
Lang said she hoped changing player lists would allow for more junior players to gain senior experience. “We won’t have a 17 and under team this year because a few of the girls have gone away to school,” she said.
“Hopefully we’ll have a few under-17 girls playing senior netball and gaining experience.
“We want to focus on our juniors and continue to build them up for the future of the club.”
The Saints 17 and under team made the grand final in 2016.
It was one of five Saints teams to contest finals, with C Grade going on to win the premiership.
Lang said off-season departures would give other players opportunities to step up into different roles.
“Our numbers are looking good,” she said.
“We’ll field all senior teams and we’ll be competitive.
“Our aim this year is to make finals in all grades – not necessarily to win premierships, but to make the finals.
“I think it will be a good year.
“There is a lot going on at the club.
“There is a good committee and good leaders.”
Lang said she was expecting another competitive Horsham District league A Grade season.
“I think Harrow-balmoral will be strong again even though they’ve got a lot of pregnancies and Noradjuhaquantong and Natimuk will also be good,” she said.
“The Giants will be competitive again – they didn’t finish as strongly as they would have liked in their first season.
“I think it will be similar to last year.”
Pre-season is underway, with netballers training on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Sessions are shared among the Edenhope and Apsley grounds.
Lang said leaders were focusing on fitness, with grading and team selections to start tomorrow night.
“We are always welcoming new players, so if anyone is interested they can come along to a training session,” she said.