Tara Murray
The momentum is growing at Woodend-Hesket in the Riddell District Netball League.
The club is coming off their best season, including the A-grade team sitting in fifth place and the under-19s on top, when the season was called off.
With plenty of new faces and the majority of players sticking around, the Hawks are looking to build on those results.
New coach Meg Grbac said things were going really well.
Grbac joined the Hawks last season and made an instant impact winning the Ryan Medal for the best player in the competition.
“The numbers are absolutely amazing across all four grades,” she said.
“Everyone seems to be enjoying it so far. It’s been much better [number wise] than in previous years.
“I think that’s definitely off the back of the results. The under-19s won the minor premiership.
“Everyone started to play some good netball. It was a shame, not to finish it off. Success encourages everyone to come back.”
The Hawks have made three changes to their A-grade side to fill some holes.
Ty Coppinger, who was named in the RDNL team of the year in 2018 while at Macedon, returns to the league.
She adds flexibility to the side being able to play a number of positions in the midcourt and defence and has played in the Victorian Netball League.
Abby Glimore, who played for Rupertswood in the 2018, will provide a target in the circle. She played at Eaglehawk last season.
Charlee Duff-Tytler has been promoted from the under-19 team into the A-grade side.
Grbac said she was settling into the coaching role, after stepping into the role after Carly Arkinstall decided to step away.
She said she was really enjoying the challenge.
“It’s something new for me, a new challenge,” she said.
“Everyone is super excited and has been absolutely supportive from the committee and players.
“It will be a bit of a challenge also being a player. It’s something I have to kind of get my head around.
“The support from Kellie [Duff] and Anne-Louise [Lindner] have really helped me. I couldn’t step into the role without them.”
The Hawks will start their season on April 2 against Lancefield at home.
Grbac said they were keen to get the season underway.
“We’ve got a great starting point,” she said. “Everyone is enjoying it.
“We’ve returned to training and getting back to normality. It would be amazing to have a full season of netball.”
