By Tara Murray
New Woodend-Hesket coach Carly Arkinstall is looking forward to the challenge of getting back into netball coaching this Riddell District Netball League season.
Arkinstall was announced last week as the Hawks’ new head coach for the A and B-grade teams.
For Arkinstall, the opportunity to coach the Hawks had come at the perfect time. She had spent the last few years concentrating on her family and career.
She said it was exciting to get involved in a club that is on the rise. “I’ve been living in Woodend for two years now,” she said. “I’m looking forward to getting much more involved in the community and I’m passionate about netball and helping people grow.
“My kids are getting involved in netball in Woodend, so it’s a good time to step back into the netball coaching side.”
Arkinstall grew up in Sunbury and was a talented netballer growing up.
She played in the Victorian Netball League for nearly a decade and was part of several state junior teams and trained with the Melbourne Kestrels squad.
An injury ended her career and she became involved in netball coaching through the education system.
She’s coached at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar, Firbank and Carey Grammar and worked with some of the best coaches.
Arkinstall, who had her first training session on Thursday, said she was still learning about the club and playing group, but it was all positive so far.
By all reports, the majority of last year’s playing group has returned and she didn’t think the late appointment would put them on the back foot.
Much of the existing group started pre-season training before Christmas.
“There will be lots of development with a young group of netballers, to help continue them to take it to the next level,” she said.
“I’ll be providing greater netball expertise and the technical side of things. “
Hopefully we’ll be able to generate some excitement for the netballers and keep growing a young side.
“We’ll be working hard and fast.”
Arkinstall said she had touched base with some of her contacts as they look to add a couple of missing pieces to the group.
She said there may be netballers in Woodend or in the broader community that might want to get back involved with the sport and encouraged them to attend tryouts.
“We want to increase numbers and generate some interest,” she said.
The Hawks are holding tryouts on February 20 and 27.
For more details either go to www.facebook.com/ WoodendHesketFootballNetballClub/ or contact Kellie Duff on dktduff@hotmail.com or 0419 535 062
