Eyes to the future
Natimuk United netball remains in a regeneration phase, with its leaders committed to rebuilding a strong A Grade side.
The Rams, fresh from their first season without key A Grade trio Cheryl Sudholz, Jo Taylor and Michelle Trigg, finished best-of-the-rest in 2022.
Their young side faced the rigours of Horsham District league A Grade netball with new faces beside them, and secured eighth place on the ladder – with a four-win gap to unlucky finals-absentee Harrow-balmoral.
Incoming playing joint-coach Danielle Hanson said the team coped well to fill the ‘big shoes’ of their A Grade-departing stalwarts.
She said the 2023 squad would be similar to last season, with the additions of former Horsham Demons players Eliza and Mackenzie Camilleri.
“We had tryouts for the first time this pre-season, as part of that rebuilding process,” she said.
“Tryouts allowed a fresh start for all our senior players, allowed us to open our eyes to new talent, and have a good look at everyone at the club.”
Hanson said the 2023 season would not be all about results.
“We are still very young, and still working out how we all gel together,” she said.
“But we do want to develop the future premiership team and build the A Grade squad back up to where it should be.
“We knew regeneration would be needed and now that time has come, so player development will be our key this season.”
Hanson said Olivia Sudholz, a 17-and-under aged player, would be a permanent A Grade squad member, joining 2022-returned players Emily Hateley, Bethany Sudholz, Brooklyn Fraser and Ebony Klowss.
Kyra Clarke was also selected as an A Grade player.
Hanson said she was ‘excited’ to see what competition rivals produced this season, with ‘rumours’ about extensive list shake-ups during the off season.
“You hear so many things on the grapevine, so we are looking forward to seeing who we come up against,” she said.
“We are ready for the challenge and we are ready to keep showing the league our juniors are going to be something great in seasons to come.”
The Rams start their 2023 season against Rupanyup, at Natimuk, in round one.
Hanson said the game would be a ‘testing’ game between two A Grade sides in a regeneration phase with suites of young talent.