For Linda Macleod, coaching isn’t just a role—it’s a calling rooted in passion, purpose, and a profound understanding of the unique challenges faced by regional athletes in New South Wales.
“I just love coaching. I’ve made some really great lifelong friends through it, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of something that brings people together and helps others grow,” Macleod said.
Originally from Tamworth, Macleod has spent decades developing athletes across every level of the game—from grassroots and academy programs to state teams and Premier League. Now based in Sydney, where she also serves as Principal of Arthur Phillip High School, she continues to shape the future of netball as Head Coach of the 2025 Regional Emerging Talent Team—a role she’s proudly held for three years running.
Her coaching resume is as impressive as it is diverse: from the Western Region Academy of Sport and NSW 17/U State Team to Premier League and Metro League, Macleod brings a rare blend of high-performance insight and deep empathy—especially for regional players navigating the long roads, literally and figuratively, to elite sport.
“The Emerging Talent Program is a pathway that didn’t exist before. I used to think I was training my athletes with intensity, but I really wasn’t—at least not compared to what I’ve now experienced in the metro space. The matches, the contest for the ball—it’s just another level. That exposure really shifts your mindset as a coach and helps you bring that knowledge back to the regional space.”
For Macleod, one of the biggest barriers facing regional athletes isn’t skill—it’s confidence. And that’s where she believes coaching can be transformational.
“One of the biggest things regional athletes need is belief—belief that they can actually compete at that next level. If they work hard, take on feedback, and bounce back from setbacks, there’s no reason they can’t get there.”
“Yes, there’s the tyranny of distance—but since moving to Sydney, I’ve spent just as much time in the car. It’s just a different kind of travel!”
Throughout her coaching journey, Netball NSW has been a key support—providing opportunities for advancement, assessment, and mentorship that have not only shaped her career but helped her give back to others following the same path.
“When I first coached in the Western Region Academy, there wasn’t any mentoring. Now, in the Emerging Talent Program, we have experienced coaches—people who’ve coached state or Super Netball level—sitting on the bench with us, giving feedback. That’s been invaluable.”
“I’ve been really supported as a regional coach—especially when it came to gaining my elite coaching accreditation. Netball NSW gave me the opportunity to complete my assessment at the Academy Games, and the chance to work in the Emerging Talent Program. I can’t thank them enough.”
Now a mentor, coach developer and talent scout, Macleod is playing a critical role in expanding access to quality coaching across the state. She delivers Development and Intermediate courses and will soon lead an Advanced course, guiding the next generation of coaches with her trademark authenticity and insight.
But perhaps her greatest contribution lies in her care and belief in her athletes. Through the Emerging Talent Program, she’s helping open doors for players who might not otherwise be seen—and encouraging them to walk through with confidence.
“I’d love them to win the tournament, of course—but more importantly, I want them to understand what it takes to be a high-performance athlete. This program gives them exposure to coaching and playing at that level and helps prepare them for the 17U and 19U state trials.”
“It’s about helping them fine-tune their game strategy, giving them the opportunity to be seen, and supporting them as they transition from regional academies and local rep teams into state teams—or even Premier League further down the track.”
“Above all, I want them to believe in themselves and trust the process.”
