Rockbank’s A-grade netball team will return to the court in the Riddell District Netball League next year with no intention of merely making up the numbers.
Facing a lack of A-grade players earlier this year, the Rams decided to withdraw their top side from the 2016 competition.
Last week the club announced it had appointed coaches for all four teams for 2017.
Lizzy Masterson will coach the A-grade side and her nephew, Dave Vining, will coach the B-grade team. He will also be the fitness coach.
Michelle Barclay will coach the C-grade side, having coached the under-19s this year, while Elisha Green will combine the under-19 coaching role with that of netball co-ordinator.
Masterson comes across from coaching Anakie in the Geelong District Football League. Several players Masterson has previously coached will play for the Rams next year.
She said there could be at least 20 players coming to the club, many from Anakie, while several have played together in indoor competitions.
She said herself, Vining and several Anakie players had decided to continue their netball closer to the Werribee area in which they live.
“It’s only 15 minutes down the road instead of travelling 45 minutes to an hour to get to training,” she said.
“We’ve got a bunch of girls that have played together for a long time and get along really well. Everyone jumped at the opportunity to play and train closer to home.”
Masterson said while the club had brought across players who would likely play in A grade and B grade, try-outs for all teams would still be held. She said the coaches were hoping that existing Rams players would look at continuing.
“The club has brought us in to win matches,” she said. “We don’t know who will turn up to trials – we could have a couple of superstars turn up.”
Masterson said the coaches were hoping the A-grade side could make finals in 2017 despite the absence this year.
