EAST Gambier’s A Grade netball team will be under new management in 2020, with the announcement Emily Hunter will move to the club to fill the playing-coach position.
Hunter made her debut in the Western Border Netball Association last season, where she played for West Gambier and finished the year as runner-up league best and fairest.
She finished second to none other than East’s Tenille Gray, who will now be a valuable asset in Hunter’s senior coaching debut.
Having previously coached Under 15’s at her home club Naracoorte in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Netball Association, Hunter is excited to take the next step in her netball career.
“I am really excited for the opportunity – especially after having a meeting with some of the netball girls and Matt Willson, the A Grade football coach,” she said.
The Bulldogs were among the front-runners in 2019 and finished runners-up to the powerhouse Millicent in the grand final.
Hunter hopes for the team to remain competitive next year, but is aware of the challenges the side will face, with other teams boasting talented rosters and more experienced coaches.
“I know there are a lot of great netballers at East and I hope after trials we can select quite a competitive team,” she said.
“As a first year (coach) I know it is going to be challenging, but it is a challenge I am looking forward to and am excited for.”
Hunter will have no shortage of experienced leaders to bounce ideas off, including the likes of Tarsh McCallum, Morgan Amy and Gray – who joint coached the Bulldogs in 2019.
“Tarsh has a lot of coaching experience – she will be a good soundboard,” Hunter said.
“There will be a lot of other leaders amongst the team as well who I will be able to bounce ideas off of.”
Having played with several East girls in the South Australian Country Championships last season – where Hunter was named among the top 10 of the competition – she had already built some friendships among the Bulldogs’ camp.
That will help with the transition, as she takes on a role which she has always had an interest in.
“Coaching has always been in the back of my mind, but I did not really think it would be this soon,” Hunter said.
“I had not really considered it until I was approached by East and had a meeting with them.
“It sort of just went from there, but that was when I really thought about it more and looked into and thought why would I say no to this opportunity.”
Hunter will hope to bring some fresh ideas to East, with experience playing in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Netball Association, as well as at state level and for Contax in Adelaide.
“I played at Naracoorte for my junior years and some senior years, then when I went away for school I played for Contax in Adelaide and enjoyed that,” she said.
She then landed in Mount Gambier for work and found a home with the Roos last season, which she enjoyed.
However, she could not pass up on this opportunity and will now face the challenge of playing against the talented West roster next year.
“I still have a lot of respect for West and they are obviously going to be a very good side again, as well as other clubs,” Hunter said.
The Saints will be another team which will prove difficult to put down, having won 11 consecutive premierships, while North Gambier can never be ruled out.
Hunter is under no illusions it is going to be an easy task, but she looks forward to the season ahead.
“Pre-season starts mid January and trials will be early February,” she said.
“I think it is going to be a tough year, but it is very exciting.
“I think it will be a great group to play with and I am really excited for the opportunity.”
