Williamson aims high in 2017
Ararat hopes to build on last year’s shake-up of its senior netball sides to chase more success in 2017.
Reigning A Grade best and fairest winner Jess Williamson has taken over the top role from Jess Brady, who will continue to work on junior development as assistant coach of the club’s 17 and under side.
Williamson said she looked forward to the challenge.
“I’ve never coached before but I’ve been a captain for quite a few years,” she said.
“I felt I was ready to take that next step.”
Williamson will share coaching duties with newcomer Lauren Armstrong, who has crossed from Mininera and District league outfit Moyston-Willaura.
The pair enjoyed premiership success together at Navarre.
“Lauren is a personal trainer and she’ll play a huge role in training this year,” Williamson said.
“She’s also experienced as a netballer and coach at Navarre. “She’s a handy pick-up.” Williamson said her aim was for Ararat’s A Grade to play finals in 2017.
A traditional Wimmera league powerhouse, the club missed out on finals for the first time in many years in 2016.
Williamson said although the club had retained its senior playing list, there would be a bit of movement within grades ahead of the start of the season.
“We’ve had a few new girls come to the club this year,” she said.
“Our numbers are really good. We’ll easily fill three senior sides and hopefully be a lot more competitive this year.”
Team selections start this week.
One newcomer set to slot into A Grade is defender Krystal Fisher.
“Krystal played at St Arnaud last year and previously played at Lexton,” she said. “She will play a huge role in our defensive end.”
The Rats have also retained defender Rebecca Skrabl.
Williamson said she expected another competitive A Grade season.
“Horsham is always going to be pretty strong but I haven’t heard much about any of the other clubs, so it will be hard to say until we’ve played then,” she said.
“We’re looking pretty good and hopefully we’ll be a bit more competitive this year.”
Netball director Brendan Scott said pre-season was progressing well.
“The senior girls have been training since late January and we’ve been getting good numbers,” he said.
“We’re very happy with the appointment of Jess and Lauren. They’re enthusiastic and I think they’re going to bring some new ideas and tactics, which will be good.”
Mr Scott said he was pleased with how Ararat’s netball divi- sion finished up last year. “We had two teams in grand finals. Unfortunately they didn’t win but they still had good seasons,” he said.
“Most teams made finals, except A Grade. Obviously A Grade missed the finals for the first time in many years, so hopefully they’ll go a bit better this year.
“But overall, we were pretty happy.”
Williamson said there was already plenty of excitement around the club.
“We’ve got a few players coming back who had a year off and they’re really looking forward to getting back into it,” she said.
“Tahnee Walker is coaching C Grade this year and it’s great to have her back after some time off. She’s looking forward to it and she’ll be a great asset around the club.”
Williamson said the Rats were also working hard to strengthen the link between the club’s football and netball divisions.
“We had a team bonding day at Halls Gap with both the netballers and footballers and it went really well,” she said.
“There’s some really positive vibes around the club.”
Ararat will kick-start its season against rival Stawell during a Good Friday clash on April 14.