Tara Murray
New Diggers Rest coach Rachel Reeves is ready to start her next chapter at the Riddell District Netball League club.
After a third ACL injury last season ended her playing career for the Burras, Reeves was still keen to stay involved in the club.
Initially she was appointed the club’s B-grade and C-grade coach, but the club announced last week that she would be taking on the A-grade role alongside B-grade.
Reeves said she was excited by the opportunity.
“I’ve been playing for a long time and I injured my ACL for a third time and was forced into retirement,” she said.
“It’s time to take on a new challenge and I’m super excited.
“I’ve worked really closely with Ben Morse, the president, and they were keen to have someone who had been at the club for a few years.
“They’ve keen to keep building and be a place for the girls to grow.”
Reeves said her late appointment as A-grade coach came as she was unsure whether she could make it work with work.
She said she had plenty of support from the club to take on the role and start her coaching career.
Reeves takes over from Pam Strong who stepped down after taking the A-grade side to its first premiership last season.
The B-grade side also tasted premiership glory.
Reeves said they would have a really different A-grade line up this season.
“A lot of players were hanging around for a premiership and they’ve achieved that now,” she said.
“The girls got the holy grail and are now focusing on other things like careers outside netball, having babies.
“Maggie Payne and Shelby Strong, two of our key players, are returning. They have real leadership roles and will help with a lot of younger girls coming through.”
Reeves said they would look to have players step up from the lower grades like Brooke Seidel, who won the league B-grade best and fairest award.
There will be several new players joining the club this season.
“We’ve got girls from outside the league, from different leagues,” she said. “We’ve got some partners of football players.
“It’s a testament to the club for being so inclusive. We always want to have fun, but also win.”
After early train sessions before Christmas were washed out, Reeves said they would have a few busy months preparing for the season.
“We’re training two nights a week throughout the pre-season,” she said.
“We’re working on fitness and match play and working on new combinations.
“We’re doing a few different things, we’re keeping it fun.”
The Burras kick off their season on April 15 against Woodend-Hesket.
