Lauren Close is back for a second tilt as playing coach of Riddell’s A-grade side in the Riddell District Netball League.
The star defender coached the Bombers to a premiership in 2015 – her only year as coach, before stepping down from the role to concentrate on just playing.
She was part of the Bombers 2016 premiership team, before moving to Darwin last season.
Having returned to the area, the club was keen to get her back on board.
During her previous four years in the competition, Close was one of the best players on court. She took out the competition best and fairest in 2014 and was joint runner-up in 2016.
“We moved back from Darwin a little bit earlier than anticipated,” she said of her and partner, Bombers forward James Nolan.
“Eliza [Allen] had to stand down from coaching due to other commitments. Once Riddell heard we were back and had signed James up for football, they approached me about the role.”
Close said it was sometimes difficult being a playing-coach, but she was keen to support the club and put something back into netball.
“I love giving back to netball and doing what I can to help the club.”
Close said pre-season had been good and that there had been a lot of interest from local players.
“There has been an influx of players from the area and pre-season numbers have been pretty good,” she said.
“It’s a similar team to last year, with the inclusion of a couple of girls, including myself.
“The focus is on bringing through the local girls to A-grade.”
She said it looked like they had lost a couple of girls to football, but were hopeful fixtures would work in their favour and the players could be dual athletes.
The Bombers finished seventh last season, with a gap between them and the top sides.
Close said the younger players would benefit from last year and making the step up into the A-grade team.
The Bombers start their season on April 7 against Macedon.
