PENOLA’S A Grade netball coach Kaitlin Egan will continue to play in Eagles’ colours for at least another year after she recently signed to stay on board for the 2021 season.
Egan arrived at McCorquindale Park last year from North Gambier and made an immediate impact to push Penola to a preliminary final berth.
After an encouraging campaign, the Eagles were keen to build momentum into this year, but all plans were put on hold due to the cancellation of the 2020 Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Netball Association season.
The unexpected break gave Egan plenty of time to think about her future and she said it was easy choice to re-sign.
“I am very excited to be back on board for 2021,” she said.
“We were pretty disappointed not to play this year and we have some unfinished business from last year we want to take care of.
“So I definitely want to stick around and give it another crack.”
What helped Egan make her mind up was the positive signs displayed on the court preparing for the this year’s scheduled campaign.
Despite a few player movements, Egan said she looked forward to seeing how her team stacked up against the improved competition.
“We had a really good side this year,” she said.
“I would say it is looking just as strong as last year after losing some key players, so hopefully we can have the same girls next year, which will be pretty exciting.
“We gained one recruit in Heidi Clark from Mount Burr, but we lost the Winters due to basketball commitments and Gorgia Robbie who was heading off to university.
“I think the competition was going to be a lot stronger as well.
“Some of the weaker sides have found some recruits, so there will definitely be some strong opponents, which will make us better as a team.”
Since the season was cancelled, Egan said the side’s progression continued during the lockdown period, which has given her more determination to hit the courts again.
“I am very excited about the prospect of getting on court again,” she said.
“It has been nice not having to train in the freezing cold and wet sometimes, but I definitely prefer to be doing that rather than not playing at all.
“We probably have not trained as a team since it all stopped, but we were keeping on top of our fitness throughout this period.
“I know a lot of the girls are still keeping fit, so hopefully they can maintain that through the off-season now.”
Looking back at her first season as an Eagle, Egan has fond memories.
She arrived with little coaching experience and introduced more professionalism into the setup by training Penola’s A and A Reserve sides twice a week instead of once.
Egan said the team was a great group to coach and the club had created a happy environment for herself and husband Brock.
“I have enjoyed bringing different qualities and expectations into the side and they always wanted more and were very keen to learn,” she said.
“Brock and I both love the club so much.
“We have made some good friends and it was just great to have a club so focused on community and family.
“We felt very supported from the Penola community particularly with everything that has happened this year.”
