As preparations for the 2020 season ramp up, Goulburn Valley League outfits Echuca and Shepparton Swans have both announced changes to their A-grade coaching panel.
Echuca has signed decorated GVL netballer Steph Vick as its A-grade netball coach for the coming season, after the dual Wellman Family Medallist joined the Murray Bombers at the start of the year.
And joining Vick as head coach of Echuca is another familiar name in the local netball fraternity.
Vick's three-time premiership teammate at Kyabram, Belinda Lees, has jumped on board for next season in what caps off a major coup for the Murray Bombers.
The duo will take over from 2018 premiership winning coach Gina Pearson, who has accepted the 17-and-under coaching role at the club.
And it is a trip back to the future for the Shepparton Swans next season after the club announced former mentor Jana Bruinier will lead the A-grade outfit in 2020.
Bruinier stepped down at the end of 2018 after five years as playing-coach, however, the experienced mentor will coach from the sidelines in her second stint.
The Swans’ 2019 coach and GVL Coach of the Year Dylan Nexhip is set to remain at the club in an assistant role and will help mentor the coaches and players.
● Elsewhere, Murray Netball League outfit Moama will have an old face return to the club next season as its senior netball coach.
Moama's 2018 premiership player Jodie Lake has signed on as the Magpies’ coach and will replace her former premiership teammates Alex Daly and Charlotte Long.
Lake told the Riverine Herald that returning to her old club was to great of an opportunity to pass up.
“Going back to Moama was a really big draw for me,” she said.
“The club gave me something I have always wanted in my netball career in 2018 and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity.
‘‘I want to give back to this club for all they have given me, so when the opportunity to return as a coach presented itself, I jumped at it.
● Deanne Stevens has signed on at Picola District League club Deniliquin Rovers as its A-grade coach for next year.
Speaking to the Pastoral Times during the week, Stevens said she was thrilled to return to the Rovers and hopefully build on the club's success in recent years.
‘‘It’s great to return to Rovers and be appointed the A-grade coach,’’ she said.
‘‘Rovers have had great success over the years and I’d like to build on that, particularly focusing on one of the many strengths the club has — it’s juniors coming up through the ranks.
‘‘It’s a pleasure to have this opportunity to work with these players, it’s an exciting time to be back at Rovers.”
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