Netball clubs across the Goulburn Valley are making big moves to prepare their sides in the region’s various district leagues.
With pre-season only a matter of weeks away, numerous player and coaching signings — or both, in many instances — are finalised as clubs prepare to return from their post-season time off.
Congupna, already making headlines this week with the acquisition of Kyabram marquee forward Kyle Mueller, is again front and centre.
The Murray District League side has unveiled a pair of — quite literally — familiar co-coaches, with club great Wendy Sidebottom joined at the A-grade helm by daughter Sophie.
Sophie will continue in an on-court capacity while she assumes the co-coaching duties at the top level for the first time.
Wendy remains a revered figure at Congupna, having amassed more than 500 A-grade appearances in her own right before moving to the sidelines full-time.
However, the genetic connections don’t end there.
Nathalia, another Murray league side with ambitions beyond its 2023 fortunes, is celebrating a double delight of its own.
The Purples have confirmed the return of sisters Breanne and Georgia Walpole to the club.
The goalers started their netball careers at Nathalia and had swapped purple for its root colours, switching to the red and blue of Shepparton United in the Goulburn Valley League.
Georgia had been voted runner-up in the Demons’ A-grade best-and-fairest, with Breanne following suit in their B-grade count this season.
Meanwhile, in the Kyabram District League, Lancaster has made a pair of noteworthy signings, with the Wombats securing the signatures of Caddison Mulholland and Chicky Vick.
Another figure of reverence in netball circles, most recently plying her trade at Kyabram in the GVL, Vick (nee Barr) returns to the courts after pregnancy led her to withdraw from the 2023 season.
Vick already carries a glittering list of accolades to her name as a former premiership player and individual standout, including multiple KDL A-grade best-and-fairest medals during her time at Stanhope.
Mulholland, who has dealt with major injury setbacks in recent years, shares past experience at Kyabram after first making her name at Tongala, where she coached the A-grade outfit.
Local talent has been watched by more than just club eyes, though.
Netball Victoria also announced its trial squads for the 2024 season, with a couple of Shepparton-based names set to gear up for a crack at state level.
Shepparton Swans attacker Harriet Gall has been named in the extended 19-and-under squad, with selection trials starting in December.
Gall will be put through her paces under the watch of Shepparton A-grade boss Tracey Brereton, who is named head coach of Victoria’s 19-and-under side with Bears colleague Jacinta Todd appointed to the 17-and-under helm.
Additionally, another Shepparton Swan in Gabby Moore has made it through screening for the Victorian 17-and-under squad and will undergo trials as well.