Tara Murray
New Kyneton coach David O’Hare is hoping to lay the foundations for the future in the Riddell District Netball League.
O’Hare takes on the coaching role as the Tigers head into their second season in the RDNL.
Based on the other side of the city, it will be a new challenge for O’Hare.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I hadn’t thought of coaching footy-netball next year but somehow [netball coordinator] Loryn [Savoia] from the club got my number and tracked me down.
“We had a discussion of where they are and where they are for the future and we rolled from there.”
O’Hare brings an extensive background to the program.
He is currently head coach at the Ariels, while has coached the Victorian mixed senior team the past two years at the national championships, including to a grand final this year.
O’Hare said didn’t have massive knowledge of the league, but knew a number of players and coaches through other netball competitions.
He said the first step was to see where all the current playing group is at and look to build on that.
“No one likes finishing seventh,” he said. “We’ll find out what the playing group will look like and build the foundations.
“We’ve had good numbers for the registrations for pre-season and that is exciting.”
The Tigers have already announced the re-signings of Baylee Eve, Kelsey McColl, Brittany Nitschke, Charlotte Zan, Kristy Viete and Katie Turner, along with this year’s Ryan medallist Tilly Shepherd.
Michelle Fletcher, who played for Woodend-Hesket this year, is returning to the club.
O’Hare said he’d had some discussions with potential recruits as well.
“I’m based in the eastern suburbs, where the Ariels [another club he coaches] are and it’s a long way to Kyneton.
“I’ve put some feelers out and I’m speaking to people. People think Kyneton is a bit further away than what it is.”
O’Hare said for him next year would be a good starting point for the future.
“It will be a bit of a foundation year and I get the lie of the land,” he said. “I’m not promising miracles in the first year in the job.
“We’ll lay down the foundations for the years moving forward. We’re getting some new club rooms and new courts coming through.
“Everything is pointing forward and I’m really looking forward to it.
Netball trial details: tinyurl.com/2s25ud9x
