By Tara Murray
Kyneton is focused on the task at hand not other sides as it prepares for the Riddell District Netball League season.
New coach David O’Hare doesn’t know much about the league and is focused on what they can do, rather than what has already happened.
He said the pre-season had been really good.
“We’re looking forward to it,” he said. “The pre-season has been really good and we’ve had good numbers at training.
“It’s been pretty positive and the girls have responded pretty well to my coaching style so far.”
O’Hare said he was loving the coaching challenge so far and it was different from he was used to.
He said he had been really embraced by the club.
O’Hare said he wasn’t really paying attention to what happened last year with the team in its first season in the RDNL.
Kyneton finished with four wins for the season, but there wasn’t much between all the teams.
“I don’t know what has happened in the last few years,” he said. “My expectation is to play netball and have fun.
“We won’t know what the other clubs are like until half way through the season. If the girls keep training the way that they are training, they will improve.
“We’re trying to implement some new things.”
O’Hare said they had added some new players to their A-grade squad.
The Tigers announced last week that the experienced Maddy Kirk had joined the club,
Kirk, who is a defensive midcourter, has played with the New South Wales mixed teams, and Australian mixed reserves team previously and had a connection with O’Hare.
She has moved to Melbourne and has joined the Melbourne University Victorian Netball League championship team.
Reigning Ryan medallist Tilly Shepherd is back for the Tigers in a big boost at the defensive end of the court.
Katie Turner, Kelsey McColl, Brittany Nitschke, Charlotte Zan and Lauren Girvan who all played some A-grade netball last season are among those who have re-signed for this season.
Michelle Fletcher returns to the club after a season at Macedon. O’Hare said he was still getting to know Fletcher but was quickly realising what impact having her back has on the playing group with her history at the club and in the town.
The Tigers start their season against newcomers Gisborne Giants on April 5.
In other round one matches, Melton South hosts Diggers Rest, Lancefield plays Romsey, Riddell is at home to Macedon and Woodend-Hesket will unveil its premiership flag against the Melton Centrals.
