Shepparton United has secured shedloads of finals experience, plus goals to boot, in the form of recruit Tamara Skinner.
After a few years of dominating Murray Netball League at Nathalia and Numurkah, Skinner will call Deakin Reserve home again after last starring for the side in its 2019 grand final appearance.
It is a savvy signing and a much-needed one.
With United having Kara Blizzard, Georgia and Breanne Walpole depart to Nathalia, as well as recent news of Bess Schinoffsky’s retirement, fresh coach Laura Cole was understandably glad to have a shooter of Skinner’s calibre back under the ring.
“We were looking for a really strong, experienced goaler and we’re super excited that we could get Tam back on board,” Cole said.
“It’s exciting to have her back at the club; obviously she played with us back in 2019 when we played in the grand final and she was super important back then.
“I think she’s going to bring a lot to our team next year with her experience.”
Skinner has been among the Goulburn Valley’s premier goalers for quite some time now.
Adding an O’Dwyer medallist and multiple club best-and-fairest winner will do wonders for United’s hopes to remedy a dour ninth placing in 2023, as will another incoming talent.
Midcourt stateswoman Shinea Sali has crossed from Shepparton Swans, another handy pick-up from a recruitment perspective.
“She’s another one that has played a lot of netball in the GVL and is super experienced,” Cole said.
“That’s what we were really looking for when we were thinking about recruiting for next year, because we’ve got some really talented young athletic girls at our club.
“We really wanted to add some more mature players that can help develop those younger girls.”
Skinner and Sali will be worthy advisors to players like Diaz Barzen and Janaya Pettie.
The teenagers featured heavily in this year’s campaign, blooded to kick into gear with some added support around them on the asphalt when netball rolls around again in 2024.
With a new coaching dynamic consisting of Cole and ex-Shepparton East mentor Erynn Hueston, the slate has been wiped clean for United to climb the rungs of the ladder next year.