Solid start under new leader
Jeparit-rainbow netball leaders hope a strong, enthusiastic pre-season will lead to more success on the court in 2017.
The Storm had a tough year in 2016, with all senior sides finishing towards the bottom of the ladder.
Defender Claire Schulz, who joined the club last year from Wimmera league outfit Warrack Eagles, has taken on the A Grade coaching role.
She said she was enjoying the opportunity to step up.
“Last year was a rebuilding year for us and this year we hope to build on our work from last year,” she said.
“We’ve been working really hard on our fitness and hopefully that will help lead to some more success.
“A lot of the girls haven’t had that winning feeling for a while and we’re looking to change that. We hope to get a few wins on the board and have a fun year.”
Schulz said teams were yet to be selected, however the club had retained the majority of last year’s A Grade players.
She said Brittany Keller, who will play at Nhill, and young goalie Maddison Marra, who is off to university, were exceptions.
Schulz said Grace Wooster, who has moved to the Storm from Pimpinio, would help fill a void in goals.
“A lot of our 17 and unders from last year have stepped up into senior netball because they’re too old for juniors,” she said.
“Our 17 and unders played finals last year. They had a good little team with players who have worked together for a few years and did really well.
“It’s exciting to help continue their development.” Schulz said there was a positive air about the club, with players enjoying a great camaraderie.
“It’s all going really well,” she said.
“The start of the season is coming around so quickly. I’m looking forward to it getting underway and seeing what happens.”
Netball director Colleen Petschel echoed Schulz’s sentiments about the club’s focuses for the season.
“We’ve had good numbers at training and some fairly solid training sessions, which is great,” she said.
“We’ve also got some new faces around the club.” Mrs Petschel said she was pleased to see so much positivity following a tough year.
“We’re trying to rekindle that enthusiasm and love of the game,” she said.
“Each team has a team manager. We have our administrative structures sorted out so coaches can concentrate on coaching.
“We want this year to be about enjoyment and good sportsmanship.”
Mrs Petschel said the club hoped to fill all grades.
“As per usual in a small country town, our 17 and unders have been decimated, with kids going away or stepping up into senior netball,” she said.
“Numbers are going to be tight for some of our junior teams.
“We will try our darnedest to fill them all but it will require a bit of juggling and keeping track of who plays when.
“We might have to ask some girls to play two games.
“But we have a proactive junior coaching team and we’ll do our best to make it work.”
The Storm starts its 2017 Horsham District league season against Southern Mallee Giants at Rainbow on April 8.