By Tara Murray
New Darley coach Shannon Blackman wasn’t expecting to be thrown into the coaching hot seat in the Ballarat Netball League this season, but is keen for the challenge.
Blackman has been named the Devils new head coach after three-time grand final coach Di McCormack made the decision to step down two months out from the season starting.
Blackman, who is part of the A-grade side, was set to coach the C-grade team this season but will now take on a greater load.
She said it would be a good challenge.
“I’m excited and looking forward to it,” she said. “I didn’t think I was going to be head coach, it was originally just C-grade.
“I took a couple of days to think about it. It’s a lot as it’s not just one grade, but I’m now doing four grades.”
It was McCormack who suggested that Blackman step up and take on the overall role, having coached her for a number of years.
The two have a close relationship and Blackman said she has McCormack there as a mentor for any questions that she has.
“She is amazing,” she said. “If I need anything, I can ask her.
“She’s a second mum to me. When I came over I was living in the city and they offered me a home.
“I call her my Aussie mum and Adrian [McCormack] my Aussie dad.”
Blackman said knowing most of the playing group across the whole Devils program would help stepping into the role.
Only Ella Closter from last season’s A-grade side has returned this season.
Blackman, who missed trials due to being overseas, said she would see more of the mix across the grades when training starts this week.
“We have played with each other for the last few years,” Blackman said of the A-grade side. “We’ve made three grand finals without getting over the line.”
Blackman also has a lot of young talent at her disposal, with the under-19s winning the past two premierships.
She said it’s exciting to see what they can do and they have a lot of talent coming through the ranks.
It will be a busy few months for Blackman on the netball court.
As well as playing and coaching Darley, she’s part of the inaugural Gippsland Stars championship side in the Victorian Netball League.
“My whole weekend will be netball,” she said. “On Sundays we train at Warragul.
“There will be plenty of netball, but I’m enjoying it.”
