It will be a different line-up for the Sunbury Lions’ A-grade team in next year’s Ballarat Netball League.
Lions’ netball co-ordinator, Leanne Burrows, says the club is going through a rebuild.
One of the powerhouse teams of the competition, the Lions have played off in the past three A-grade grand finals. They lost this year’s grand final 49-42 to North Ballarat City.
“A lot of girls have been playing VNL and with the seasons running at the same time next year a lot of coaches aren’t letting them play [local netball],” Burrows said.
“We’ve got a couple of girls travelling and a couple more with VNL commitments who won’t be coming back.”
Among those returning are Beck Anstey, Prue Stanley and Katelyn Begley.
Two former Lions’ players, Pia Kynoch and Hope Evans, are rejoining the club.
Evans, who has been playing with Romsey in the Riddell District Netball League, won the RDNL’s coaches’ player of the year and sharp-shooter award.
“We’ve got a good base to build on, and we’re looking to get a couple of under-21 players in as well,” Burrows said.
“We might get a couple of the VNL girls for the odd game, but that is depending on the commitments.”
The Lions A-grade side is also currently without a coach after deciding not to reappoint Adam Boldiston.
“He has been appointed Monash University Storm coach and, with that commitment, couldn’t commit to us for the whole season,” Burrows said.
“Hopefully, he will be able to come back and coach the season after.
“We are going to put our heads together after the first couple of weeks after Christmas and look into getting a coach then.
“We are looking to build the team first,” she said. “We’ve got experienced players and older heads who can run training.”
Meanwhile, the Lions want to also add some under-19 players to the club.
“We will be lucky to get a side up at this stage,” Burrows said.
“We are hoping to get a few players on board and, hopefully, get them to stay around for a few years.”
In a boost for the club, former Lions’ A-grade premiership coach Kim Bailey is back at the club, helping coach the under-15s with Alyssa Egan.
Bailey is also the ACU Sovereigns division 1 coach in the Victorian Netball League.
