Berrigan Netball Club has finalised its coaching line-up for the 2023 season.
The newly appointed coaches are a mix of new faces and long-standing Berrigan club members.
They represent the history and future of the club.
With a mix of experience, knowledge and passion, the coaches are looking forward to an exciting and successful 2023 season.
Club president Grace Veenstra said that after struggling for numbers in the 2022 season, the Berrigan Netball Club was grateful to have all coaching positions filled with extremely talented coaches who will “work super hard to bring the best out of our sides in 2023”.
A Grade - Maddie Mannes
Mannes is originally from Coleambally and now lives in Yarrawonga.
She coached Coleambally’s A-grade side into finals from 2019 to 2021.
Mannes has gained a wealth of knowledge and skill while being a coach and player in the Farrer League and she is beyond excited to start her new chapter at the Berrigan Saints, as well as getting to know everyone around the club.
Her coaching goals for the 2023 season include creating a strong team ethic, building on skills development, fitness and becoming a competitive side - therefore earning a spot in finals.
“We are looking forward to seeing Maddie in the Saints colours and leading our senior grade whilst working with Shannon (McRitchie) and Peta and Paula (Gowans) to bring the Saints’ talent back on the courts,” Veenstra said.
“We would like to wish her the warmest welcome to our club and look forward to seeing her strive in 2023.”
B Grade - Shannon McRitchie
McRitchie is relatively new to the club.
She played in the Berrigan B-grade side this year, but unfortunately suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury halfway through the season.
McRitchie grew up and lived in Sydney until last year, and has played netball since she was five years old.
She played A-grade netball up until 19 years old, but had to give it up due to work commitments.
“Shannon’s goal for the season is to create a positive playing environment with the intention to motivate every player to put in 100 percent both at training and on game day,” Veenstra said.
“Shannon hopes her involvement as the B-grade coach can contribute to a positive culture within the club and looks forward to the 2023 season.”
C and C-Reserves - Peta and Paula Gowans
Peta and Paula Gowans are returning for the 2023 season, appointed as Berrigan C and C-Reserve co-coaches.
“Both these ladies bring a wealth of knowledge and skill back to our club,” Veenstra said.
“Both are PDFNL and Murray League best and fairest recipients, premiership players and all round club people who are excited to be back wearing the Saints colours.
“We are extremely excited to see what they are going to achieve in the 2023 season, knowing they will bring great success to our courts.”
Under-17s - Bec Ware
Over the last 20 years, Ware has been involved with the Berrigan Netball Club in any way she can - playing, coaching junior and senior netball, umpiring and being an executive committee member.
“Bec wishes to pass on the years of experience and knowledge she has gained to our youth and give them the type of mentoring and nurturing she received growing up,” Veenstra said.
“Bec is a huge asset to our club and we can’t wait to see how far she takes the under-17s girls in the 2023 season.”
Under-15s - Channy Henderson
Henderson has been involved with the Berrigan Netball Club for the last 16 years.
She is a committee member, has played, coached NetSetGo for five years, under-11s and under-13s for two years, and in the 2022 season coached the C-grade side into qualifying finals and the under-15s to the preliminary finals.
“Channy’s experience and guidance, coupled with technical skill and determination, will see the girls perform to the best of their abilities and complete in the 2023 finals series,” Veenstra said.
“Channy is looking forward to the 2023 season and what the girls can achieve.”
Under-13s - Sophie Walsh
Walsh has been part of the Berrigan Netball Club for the past three years, as a player, executive committee member, coach of the under-13s side during the COVID-19 affected 2020 season and the under-11s in 2021 and 2022.
She now would like to keep following these girls as they move up in to under-13s.
“Sophie’s goals for 2023 are to continue to develop fundamental skills, work together as a team supporting each other and to have fun playing the game we all love,” Veenstra said.
“Sophie says we have some very talented rising stars and she is looking forward to a great 2023.”
Under-11s - Bianca Mohr
Mohr has been part of the Berrigan Netball Club for many years as a player, committee member, NetSetGo coordinator and member of the senior leadership group.
“Our juniors players are the future of the club and Bianca has a vested interest as her daughters have the same love for netball and the club as she does,” Veenstra said.
“She wants to be a part of shaping and growing it for the future.
“Bianca’s goals for the 2023 season will be to improve the players’ self esteem and promote teamwork on and off the court.
“She will have a lot of focus on skill development and establishing good playing habits.
“Bianca wants our junior players and their families to come along, have fun and enjoy being part of our great club.
“She is very excited to be guiding our under-11s team through the 2023 season and looks forward to getting together with our current players and welcoming any new ones, in preparation for the 2023 season.”