A point to prove...
Harrow-balmoral netballers are ready to prove themselves this season.
Roos A Grader’s were left with a sourtaste after dropping out of the 2018 season in a semi-final play-off against Edenhope-apsley.
Despite a relatively strong lead up to finals, Harrow-balmoral ultimately missed its shot, much to the frustration of players.
This year, A Grade coach Ebonie Salter said the Roos were keen to redress themselves with a more stable and consistent season.
She said she hoped to see the side not only run into finals again, but ‘make it out alive’.
“We had a really good result last season considering we had quite an inconsistent year,” Salter said.
“There were a lot of ins and outs with girls off because of pregnancy and a few girls moving between grades.
“We just had a lot going on and our season ended on a really bad game.
“No-one wants that. We were really disappointed. It was frustrating because I think we had the potential.
“So, this year, I think we all have a bit of a point to prove. We will try and push a bit further – our aim is always going to be grand finals.
“We want to find a bit more stability in
the season and hopefully we will then be a bit more settled going into finals. We just don’t want to leave anything behind.”
Former Nhill netballer Brittany Keller has jumped on board this season.
Rebecca Francis will also return to the camp, along with Southern Roo faithful Kate Vickery.
Salter said pre-season training had given the club’s new mix of players opportunity to become accustomed to one another.
“We have got quite a few new players through the club and some returning players too,” she said.
“It can be difficult to get used to each other and familiar with play-styles, and for new players to learn our way of doing things and the club culture.
“We have worked hard on that in preseason and the girls have taken a lot on board.”
Salter, who returns to the coaching role after a season away, said she was eager to maintain Amy Lewis’ approach from 2018 with a continued focus on keeping training sessions fresh.
Salter said she hoped renewed gameplay would also keep opposition on their toes.
“Last year, Amy gave the junior kids a lot of opportunity and I would like to do that as well by giving them court time and experience in other grades,” she said.
“Some of our under-17s will step up into A Grade again this year.
“Amy brought new drills as well and that really motivated us to keep it fresh and change it up. We want to continue to be doing things differently this year and mixing it up.
“In the past we had set-plays and I think a lot of the competition picked up on that.
“This time we want to change our style and structure a little bit – we want to keep it unpredictable for the opposition.”
Salter said setting goals early and approaching the season on a game-pergame basis would continue to be an overarching strategy for the Roos.
“We always take it one week at a time, focusing on what we can do better as a team and as a club,” she said.
“We focus on a lot of specifics in training, that one-percent stuff. It is about fine-tuning at this point.
“We are really trying to breakdown positions that we are playing, as well as doing drills and match play.
“It needs to enjoyable for the girls, particularly where we are located. We like to have fun, but we also like to try and be successful at the same time, which means setting goals early, revisiting them and adjusting them if it is needed.”
Harrow-balmoral will take on Kalkee at Balmoral on Saturday as the 2019 season officially launches.