Reaching a century of games for any club is a special milestone. However, reaching it with a franchise that is only seven years into its journey is even more remarkable.
For Central Coast Heart Opens coach Amber Cross and attacker Maddie Taylor, the 100-game mark comes with a huge sense of accomplishment.
“My connection with Central Coast Heart goes right back to the days of lobbying for a franchise licence,” Cross says.
“When I reflect on how far we’ve come since then it warms my heart, pardon the pun.”
Cross led the Heart to Premiership success in the Opens Division of the Origin Energy Premier League in 2018 and they have been challengers for the title each year since.
So, what has been the secret to her success over the past 100 games?
“Since the beginning, culture has been at the core of everything we do at Heart,” Cross says.
“It’s a culture built on care, commitment, honesty and always putting the person first.
“It’s about the relationships we build and knowing that if we go on this journey together, success on court will come.”
Taylor, the prolific shooter who has been at the forefront of the Heart’s glory says throughout her 100-plus games, adds:
“Central Coast Heart have managed to create an environment that perfectly balances professionalism, hard work and commitment with fun, enjoyment and jokes.
“This is relevant in all aspects of our program from S&C, to physios to coaches and players.
“We work hard but we also laugh and have fun. I think this balance allows us to be as close as we are as a team and it encourages players to want to come back and continue playing for Central Coast Heart.”
As Taylor can attest to, sometimes meeting the right coach at the right time can do wonders for your game – even change it entirely for the better.
“Meeting Amber Cross was a pivotal part of my netball career, because she recognised my talent… which was potential for being a GS.
“I was initially a GK and cannot say I would have achieved what I have without her switching me permanently to the other end.
“I have never stopped learning from her and I have never not felt supported by her within netball or outside of netball.”
Off the court the Heart also celebrated another centurion, Opens team manager and former coach Megan Sharpe.
“I’m really proud to reach this milestone with Central Coast Heart,” Sharpe says.
“This club has provided me with fantastic opportunities from starting as the assistant coach of the Opens team then moving to head coach of the 23s for four years.
“I had intended to take a break in 2022 but couldn’t leave so I moved to be a manager.
“The concept of Heart was created by myself and three other ladies (Amber being one of them).
“I remember sitting in a room and creating the presentation we were going to make to Netball NSW.
“We were all very passionate about creating something for our Central Coast athletes, coaches and support staff that we could be proud of. I think we’ve been successful with this.”
They’ve been more than successful. The Heart are now a mainstay of sporting clubs on the Central Coast and players like double NSW Swifts Premiership champion and current GIANT Lauren Moore have benefitted from the platform provided by the team in the Premier League.
But at the end of the day, most of the club’s success is attributed to putting people first. That’s why Cross is so happy to share her milestone with Taylor and Sharpe.
“As a coach it’s not often that you get to spend such a long period of time with one team, so I definitely recognise how lucky I’ve been.
“To reach this milestone alongside Maddie and Megan, who have both displayed such selfless commitment to what we’ve built, makes it even more special.”
The Heart is beating strong. Long may it continue.
Find out more about the 2022 Central Coast Heart Teams HERE
