New challenge for Ewes
Just what do you do and what direction do you take to fire up passion and desire after your team wins backto-back premierships?
You just treat the approaching season like any other, try to keep everyone together, acknowledge that every year is different and feed off the confidence generated from success.
That’s a simple formula Natimuk United A Grade coach Cheryl Sudholz is adopting as she and her coaching brains trust prepare their teams for another big year.
The Ewes are a contemporary sporting success story, having broken a 40-year drought to win a flag in 2015 and maintaining yardstick consistency.
Sudholz was both pragmatic and excited about the approaching season, explaining that providing spots in teams for a large list of players was an initial challenge.
“Things are going very well. At the moment we’re going through a meet and greet process, welcoming everyone to the club,” she said.
“Each week we’re seeing familiar faces coming back as well as new faces.
“Last week we had 55 girls training, girls we have to try to fit into four teams. It is a good problem to have.”
Sudholz acknowledged the Ewes had become ‘the hunted’ team in the competition that everyone would try to beat.
“Importantly, we know how difficult it is to win a premiership – our history tells us that, and when you do it’s precious,” she said.
“It is something you can’t take for granted and the key is to always be as strong and competitive as possible.”
Sudholz expanded further, outlining a broad philosophy underpinning Natimuk United’s approach this year.
“We’re simply treating it as a brand-new year and seeing what it brings,” she said.
“Each year is totally different – not so much as a team in our circumstance, we just make a few tweaks here and there – but the changes across the competition and in opposition teams.
“It’s just a matter of getting a feel for the play, not focusing on what everyone else is doing, but working on our game and getting up to scratch.
“We’re working on fitness, ball handling and getting where we need to be and going from there.”
Sudholz has plenty to work with and a quick scan through a player-retention list and coaching appointments more than suggests the Ewes are again going to be hard to beat.
While the A Grade team will miss mid-courter Emily Hateley, out of action with family duties, and goalie Amy Pilgrim with study commitments, it remains potent.
Versatile and high-leaping Alicia Liston will again be in action and Casey Vanstan and Jo Taylor will appear as ominous as ever at the defensive end of the court. Shannon Couch will still be working under the attacking ring, while Sudholz, Michelle Trigg and Danielle Fleay work the ball through the middle.
“We’re very lucky we have such a versatile group,” Sudholz said.
“We have juniors we’re trying to get up there, especially the likes of Ebony Rintoule who will learn a lot from two of the best defenders in the competition.”
Sudholz revealed that much of Natimuk United’s strength came from the depth of experience in an overall coaching and leadership group.
“As coaches we all work together,” she said.
“Because we have such large numbers it’s important we talk through our plans each week and maximise our time on the court.
“It can be tricky, but as coaches we talk all the time.
“We all work really well together and it’s great that we can learn from each other and get each other’s perspective and experience.
“It’s also a case of developing structure and to have A Grade and experienced players filtering through the coaching ranks is a bonus.”
Natimuk United president Adam Blake agreed netball culture at the club was significant.
“The netball is setting the benchmark in results, which of course is wonderful for the club overall,” he said.
“And the challenge has been narrowing the gap between the netball and football, which I’m confident is happening.”