By Tara Murray
Gisborne midcourter Tarryn Rymer is going to make the most of a year off the court after taking on the A-grade coaching role at the Bendigo Netball League club.
Rymer, a key player for the Bulldogs for a number of years, has always wanted to step up and coach Gisborne’s A-grade netball side, but the timing hasn’t been right.
She has coached at the club for nine years, including seven with the under-17 side, while combining playing in the A-grade side.
This year she will coach the A-grade and A-reserve sides.
Rymer said the opportunity to step up and coach the A-grade side had come at a perfect time.
“I’ve always been coaching the under-17s and wanted to coach them and work on the development of the players coming through the club,“ she said.
“I’ve wanted to build up to A-grade coaching, but also as a player I didn’t want to step up and take too much on.
“I’m having a baby this year and taking time off playing, so it’s a perfect time to focus on the coaching side as I’m not playing.”
Rymer has grown up at Gisborne with her mum Noelene having a massive impact on setting up the netball program at the club and is still involved with it today.
She said she couldn’t see herself coaching anywhere else.
“My mum is in the club’s Hall of Fame,” she said.
“My passion for netball is because of her passion.
“They are why I’m so passionate about the club and my body is basically red, white and blue.
“My sister has coached A-grade for several years and my brother in-law and nephews also play at the club. My dad also played at the club.”
Having only been appointed last week, the Bulldogs and Rymer are slightly behind the eight ball with getting their squad together.
The Bulldogs had advertised for a coach back in November, but took their time to make a decision.
On court, Rymer knows the core group of players and their strengths and weaknesses.
“Just thinking about that and I’ve coached most of the side besides Tiana Newman, who I’ve played with since under-11s. “I know what works with them and what doesn’t which is a good thing.”
She said Newman had done a mountain of work trying to get a squad together for this season, while they were still looking to add a couple more players.
The core group of last season is set to return with Rymer obviously an out, while Ciara Fitzgerald is moving interstate.
The Bulldogs finished second last year before going out in straight sets. Rymer said they were still talking to a few members of last year’s team and were hopeful that they would return.
They have held trials, but the squads were yet to be completed.
Tazma Morris and Rylee Connell, who predominately played in the A-reserve side last season, will play in A-grade this year.
“We’re still waiting on a few new girls and we’re yet to have confirmation of numbers.”
Gisborne kicks off its season on Good Friday against arch rival Kyneton.
