Picture: JAMES MURPHY
PENOLA Football and Netball Club continues to add to its 2019 playing rosters, with the announcement this week Kaitlin Egan will join husband Brock at the Eagles.
Egan was offered the role of playing coach for the A Grade netball side in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Netball Association competition and accepted.
She said the main reason was to join Brock at the club, but also to grow as a coach in the sport.
Egan took the reigns of the North Gambier A Grade side for much of the 2018 season, with the assistance of Noni McConnell and is keen to take on the role for the Eagles.
“I am a bit nervous, but excited to go up and do it,” she said.
“They finished fourth this year and did quite well.
“They are a quite a young side, so I am excited to be able to develop players, which is my passion.”
Egan said not having personal ties to the club previously would actually help to make the transition.
“I was coaching my friends (at North), so this time it will be nice to be able to go in there not really knowing them and hopefully develop them quite a lot,” she said.
“Hopefully we can finish even higher than fourth.”
Egan originally played her junior netball at Hatherleigh, before moving away to study.
From there she returned to her home club and coached at junior level.
She moved to play at North to be closer to Brock, coaching juniors as well.
Then in the 2018 she took on the A Grade coaching duties mid-way through the season.
The move to Penola was something the couple discussed in depth and were both keen for a change.
“We are more than happy to be able to make a change and do something different,” Egan said.
“It will be a big challenge, not just for me, but for Brock as well, doing something a bit different, stepping out of our comfort zones a little bit.
“I am all for that.”
While Egan knows few of the Penola players on a personal level, she said they were welcoming at a recent meet and greet day.
“They are stoked to have us, which is flattering,” she said.
“They seem really keen and everyone is really friendly and welcoming.”
Some similarities can be drawn to the Hatherleigh club, with one team in the town, which Egan said was immediately apparent.
“Penola really seems to have that country, family orientated feel, a different vibe,” she said.
“It seems like the whole town gets around the club – you can feel that sense of community.
“I am looking forward to that.”
Egan said feedback from her family and friends was also a positive as the couple move on.
“A couple of my friends are sad they will not get to play with me,” she said.
“It was tough to make the decision to move, but they were all understanding.
“There are no hard feelings and I know I have some really good friends at North.
“I also have good family support, so it is nice to have everyone on board.”
