A familiar face will lead Shepparton’s senior netballers into action again next year with A-grade coach Tracey Brereton signing on for 2023.
Set to be her 16th year at the helm of the Goulburn Valley League outfit, the club stalwart will enter next year’s campaign full of optimism with her eyes set on a top four finish.
Speaking after the announcement, Brereton said although it was a tough decision to recommit she couldn’t wait to work with her tight-knit group again.
“You have friends there and you see new people come to the club and you say ‘I want to work with that group’ and that’s why you keep going around,” Brereton said.
“I think I’m getting close to the end. Being at a club for 15-odd years is a long time.
“I’m also very mindful that there comes a time when someone else probably needs to do it, the girls and the club need a different structure and a different person and I’m well aware of that and I think that’s really close.”
Making finals in A-grade and B-reserve in 2022, Brereton said the Bears were aiming for a top-four finish next year in the top-flight.
And with a number of new and returning faces set to bolster the senior line-up, the former national league netballer expects another strong season.
“We really want our senior performances to lift up from last year,” she said.
“A-grade and B-reserve both finished sixth and B-grade didn’t finish in the finals, we really need an improvement from all those three teams.
“You’ve got to see how the year plays out with the players, injuries and what other teams have as well.”
One returning player that is sure to have an impact on the squad is Kim Borger.
The 2018 Wellman Family Medal runner-up has been plying her trade in England and is sure to help the Bears climb further up the ladder.
She will join a number of players coming out of the junior grades, with other additions to the senior squads sure to follow.
“We certainly have bolstered our senior stocks a little bit which has had some positive affects on our list,” Brereton said.
“To get some of those senior players back, or help sort of fill those roles that we want, it really does bolster up your team.”