MILLICENT Netball Club will look to continue its dominance in the Western Border Netball Association A Grade competition in 2018 with a new coach at the helm.
Former Saint Demi Verbena has taken the reins as Millicent battles for its 10th consecutive A Grade netball premiership.
Connected to the club at an early age due to both her parents playing for the Saints, Verbena began her netball career with Millicent at just six years old.
She worked her way through juniors and into seniors, before relocating to Adelaide in 2012 to study.
Verbena is coming off six years with the Woods Panthers Netball Club, playing most of the last three seasons in the Premier League Reserves team.
“I have been exposed to different styles of pre-seasons, coaching, game styles and have played against some of the best teams and current players in the state league competition,” she said.
“I think this exposure at such a high playing standard will allow me to bring fresh views and ideas to the mix of an already winning combination that exists at Millicent.
“I like the atmosphere that comes along with playing in the country as the netball is closely aligned with the football club which I did not get (and missed) while playing in the metropolitan competition in Adelaide.
“I like the fact the netball and football sides get around each other and I am very excited about the potential the Millicent Football and Netball Club collectively have this year.”
Millicent’s success over the last decade has been nothing short of impressive and Verbena is under no illusion, understanding she has big shoes to fill.
However, the playing coach believes she has plenty of support from netball veterans Donna Denton, Lisa Duldig, Hayley Dunn and Audine Bryant – who has decided to step back from the court this season – to help continue the club’s dominance.
“All of these players bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership skills to the team and so I think I will be able to learn a lot from them all,” Verbena said.
“They have played important roles in developing me as a netballer, so I am excited to be able to play alongside them again.
“I believe this will be a good experience and I think with the strong core group of players the team already has and the talented juniors coming through, it will be a great opportunity to develop and work on skills such as leadership and communication which are needed as a coach.”
Verbena will work closely with Denton who is again coaching the A Reserve side in hope to develop a strong pre-season regime.
“We hope to improve on the fitness and strength of our group to ensure we are prepared and start the season off strongly,” she said.
“You can expect some changes to the line-up from the 2017 team, with Keah Lynch heading to Adelaide to study and Audine Bryant assisting me with my coaching from the side-lines.
“Lisa and Audine co-coached last year and I’m fortunate to have them both supporting me in my new role.
“There will be a couple of positions to fill and I’m excited to see who comes out to trials.”
Despite being confident with the support around her, Verbena said the role – her first A Grade coaching gig – does provide some nerves.
“I think coaching any team would bring with it a level of pressure,” she said.
“However, when the team is going for its 10th consecutive premiership, I do feel an added layer of pressure.
“Nonetheless, I am confident that with the support I have going forward, that my first senior coaching experience will be a positive one.”
While another premiership is the ultimate goal, Verbena will take the season step by step.
“My aims for the 2018 season are to provide the squad with a solid pre-season, continue the development and provide court time opportunities for our talented juniors coming through the ranks and to win a premiership,” she said.
“But the saying, ‘if it ain’t broke, why fix it’ comes to mind when I think about doing things differently with the A Grade side.
“I really cannot compare to other years due to my absence and this being my first year coaching.
“However, I am hoping to bring fresh views and ideas on the game which will hopefully add another level to the team.
“I’m sure the challenges as a coach will be different to the ones we face as players and I’m excited to see what the season holds.”
Millicent Netball Club’s senior trials begin on February 15 to prepare for the Western Border Netball Association season, which kicks off on April 7.
