A little bit older...
Pimpinio netballers could be knocking on the door of Horsham District league finals in 2023 if things go as planned.
With new leadership to steer the Tigers towards the middle half of the ladder, and with the Tigers’ young squad that little bit older, who knows what its netball department can conjure when play gets underway in April.
A Grade coach Jayde Ellis has headed the Tigers’ pre-season build-up after she was promoted from her B Grade coaching role last season.
Ellis said positive player retention and recruiting outcomes had aligned during the season break, which she hoped would keep its top-level squad moving northwards up the ladder, as they did last season after a poor 2021.
“We are a month into our pre-season now and we have started finalising our squad selections,” she said.
“The number of players at our training sessions, week in, week out, has been really high.
“Our juniors and seniors have been training together all pre-season, which cohesively has been great.”
Ellis said two key recruits had found their way to the Tigers in the off-season.
“One of our recruits has moved back into the region after playing her junior netball in the Wimmera league,” she said.
“Our other recruit has moved across from the Wimmera league for 2023.
“Both are quite young and will be great additions to our midcourt — especially with the speed they offer.”
Ellis said while the Tigers’ mid-court had been ‘steady’ last season, it was crucial to ratchet up the capacity this season.
She said the club had approached several other players across the region who could have filled gaps within the young team’s line-up, however, she was happy with the netball department’s recruiting effort.
“We didn’t get every player we wanted this off-season, but that is okay,” she said.
“Building on where our young players were at last season is just as important.
“Our effort as a team this preseason is generating a great atmosphere at the club, and while we know wins are the aim of the game, enjoying our netball is equally as important.
“Finals are the end goal, of course, but we are not sure we will be there this season.
“Everyone is just excited to be back at training again and, importantly, excited to work on improving – that has been the greatest thing to see.
“The atmosphere around the club is really great at this time of the year.”
Ellis said junior numbers were strong at the club and several would have the chance to play across the A and B grade competitions this season.