Tara Murray
New Melton coach Nichole Gleeson is excited for the challenge ahead at the Ballarat Netball League club.
The Bloods announced that Gleeson would coach the club’s A and B-grade sides this year, as they rebuild their netball program.
Last year, the Bloods had just three sides due to a lack of numbers.
Gleeson said she didn’t have any plans on coaching Melton this year, but decided the offer was too good to turn down.
“It’s definitely exciting and I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “It’s a new challenge.
“It’s something that I wasn’t planning on doing this year, but some of the girls kept approaching me about doing it and I decided to take it on.”
Gleeson has more than 14 years coaching experience, having coached interleague in Bacchus Marsh and being a part of Darley’s junior program in the BNL.
Gleeson said working with younger players and helping develop them was one of her strengths and she currently holds a developmental coaching accreditation.
Moving into the senior coaching ranks is something different for Gleeson.
“I’ve had nothing to do with the Melton Bloods before,” she said.
“I’ve coached some of the girls before in interleague in Bacchus Marsh. It’s a new challenge and I’m looking forward to coaching some more experienced players.”
Gleeson said the club was on track to field all six sides this season, which is a massive boost for the club.
She said the club was still looking for an under-19s coach and some under-19s players. A couple of shooters for the A-grade side would be handy as well she said.
“I don’t think they had many sides last season,” she said. “They want to redevelop the netball program.
“The club has been able to attract some old players back to the club and brought in some new players.
“It’s exciting for the club and exciting for netball in the area.”
Gleeson said not knowing many of the players meant that she came in with a blank canvas to coach, which was something she was looking forward to.
She said the aim for her was to develop a program that would be successful and sustainable in the long term.
“We want to develop the A-grade and B-grade sides,” she said. “It’ll be an achievement to have all the teams after the last few years.
“Hopefully we can get a few wins under the belt and be able to incorporate some of the juniors into the senior program and make playing at Melton more attractive.”
