EXCITING times are ahead on the courts in the North Gippsland Netball League competition, with premiership titles on the line, star recruitments, new coaches and player milestones in the pipeline.
This year will see the reintroduction of a 15 and under grade, expanding the competition to six grades following the successful integration of the 17 and under division four seasons ago.
WOODSIDE AND DISTRICT
THE Wildcats have been working hard on the court since January and are confident they will once again challenge the competition with a number of new recruits across all grades.
Kristy Lucas returns to coach A grade and will be ably assisted by Carly Foat.
Jacqui Irving takes on the B grade squad for the second time in her coaching career and is keen to improve on last year’s performance.
C grade defender Andrea Walpole has stepped up to coach her side, riddled with new and old faces alike, as they shape up to go one better in 2013.
The D grade squad will look for further improvement and development under coach Fiona Quinlan, who has been a member of the team for the past two seasons.
Lucas will stay on as coach of the greatly improved 17 and under side, with Madeleine Telling in charge of a keen under 15 side ready to make their mark.
CHURCHILL
REIGNING A grade premiers Churchill got the jump on opposition sides over the summer by competing in the regional state league netball competition.
Returning as A grade coach, Rachel Paterson achieved the ultimate in 2012, guiding her side to its first finals appearance in several years and causing the upset of the season in a one-sided grand final when they knocked off Rosedale.
Paterson will lead a new look Cougars coaching outfit which sees Lee Hornibrook appointed B grade coach, A grade premiership players Roxy Whitechurch (Shields) and Katrina Hutchinson head C and D grade respectively with Emily Walker to look after the under 17s.
GORMANDALE
ON the back of four grades contesting finals last season, the Tigers are confident that bigger things are to come in 2013.
Sporting new look uniforms, along with many new recruits, the Tigers’ astute recruitment means they will continue to be a force.
The experienced Greta Douch will continue in her role as head coach, overseeing grades A through to C.
Casey Callanan will take to the helm of D grade, Kathryn and Natasha Watson will continue to develop the under 17 side, which narrowly missed out on finals, while Ria Alexander will mentor the club’s newest players in the under 15s.
SALE CITY
AIMING to match the success of its football counterparts, Sale City is expecting big things on the court in a bid to secure the silverware.
The Dogs welcomed several new faces to the coaching ranks with B grade player Sam Cooke accepting the challenge of coaching C grade.
Cooke will be joined by Margie Collins and the experienced Debbie Fox who makes a return to the coaching caper.
On court the presence of Amy Lutze and Jae Schuback will ensure the senior side stays strong.
HEYFIELD
A CHANGE in coaching personnel will see Kara Wheeler in charge of A and B grades, with past player and club member Kerry Chivers to act as Wheeler’s assistant on game day.
Traci Grogan will use her experience and knowledge to evolve the C grade side, with club life member and veteran Maureen Kelly continuing with the D grade squad.
In her eighth season at Heyfield, local legend Joan Foat will coach the under 17 line-up looking to go back-to-back.
A grade player Sarah Schellen will be assisted by Kelly in coaching the under 15s.
Several club stalwarts will mark milestones in 2013 with Bec Berry to play her 100th game and Emma Wojcinski to play her 150th A grade game.
