Tara Murray
A year off hasn’t halted the momentum of the Kyneton Netball Club.
Having slowly rebuilt their netball program in recent years, having had just two teams in 2017, the club is this year set to field a full set of sides in the Bendigo Netball League for the first time since 2016.
Netball director Julie Priestley said they were really keen and positive ahead of the ahead season, which is set to kick off on April 10.
“It’s the best year we’ve had for quite a few years for trials which is quite positive,” she said.
“There’s a lot of opportunity and we’re looking to have five teams.
“We haven’t had under-17s for nearly five years.”
Tylah Marchbank has been reappointed coach the A-squad coach. She was set to coach for the first time last year before the season was cancelled.
She will be a playing coach, returning from a knee injury she suffered in 2019, her first season at the club.
Priestley said Marchbank, who has plenty of experience, had fitted in really well at the club.
She said the A-squad, which would include the club’s top two sides, would have a few new additions this season.
While they were keeping the new arrivals close to their chest, Priestley said they were aiming for a finals berth for the A-grade side with much of the 2019 side having returned.
Among those returning are the three Mangan sisters Rachelle, Jessica and Brooke, and Michelle Fletcher.
“We’re looking similar to other years with a few new players coming in,” Priestley said.
“They play extremely well as a team and are just in sync with each other. We just missed out on finals in 2019, our first year back in A-grade.
“We’re aiming for finals.”
Priestley said they had good numbers for their B-grade and B-reserve teams, but were still looking for a coach and assistant coach to look after those teams.
She said it was a good opportunity for anyone wanting to step into coaching and join the club.
Former A-grade coach Di Guest-Oakley coaching the under-17s. It’s the first time they’ll have a team in that age group since 2016.
Priestley said Guest-Oakley and former netball director Cara Grambeau had done a lot of hard work in recent years to get that side back up and going.
“They are the future of the club.”
Anyone interested in coaching the B-squad can contact Nat at kfnc.secretary@gmail.com
