Sometimes you’ve just gotta make the most of the cards you’re dealt and even after two years of COVID interruptions the simplest of things can make you happy.
“It would be an understatement to wish for a normal season of netball,” Manly Warringah Sapphires Under 23s Head Coach Gin Welsh says.
However, that’s not to say the past two years have been for nothing.
“We’ve all proven over the past two seasons that we can adapt, problem solve and perfect virtual check-in’s successfully and I genuinely think this experience has made us better coaches and ultimately helps us prepare better players.
“There was no handbook, however, we developed some truly innovative and inspiring ways to keep the connections going. It did give me time to connect to my players. So, for me, I’m hoping to see those connections build and grow throughout the season in 2022.
“Ultimately, we all just want to play the best game of netball with our friends.”
The Sapphires’ Opens Head Coach, Mel Clarke, feels likewise:
“For the Opens group we are most looking forward to hitting the court together again and hopefully getting through a full season,” she says.
“The last two years have certainly had many challenges but we hope to use what we have learnt to make us stronger as a group and just can’t wait to get out there in 2022!”
Having a settled line-up is the hallmark of success for many sports teams, and the Sapphires U23s are excited about what lies ahead in this season’s competition.
“This year has only seen a few changes to the 23’s line-up,” Welsh adds. “We welcome two new additions in our shooting circle with Allanah Gilbertson and Ashlen Morelli.
“Both players are new to Premier League and offer great speed, accuracy and athleticism to complement perfectly with Grace Whyte and Millie Tonkin.
“Our midcourt remains largely unchanged and we can’t wait to see the experienced players like Hannah Cullen, Milla Papallo, Olivia Inkster and Eugenie Little carve it up again.
“Excitement is building for Bella Lieberman as she is promoted from Training Partner to full contract after a being standout last season, and the experienced Caitlin Brady will lead the circle defenders and complement Emily Wise, Freddie Schneideman and Eloise Egan.
“Additionally with the few more players returning from injury we know this squad will be hunting hard for some solid performances.”
Losing players is never easy, but when you lose them to the ranks of Suncorp Super Netball it makes it easier to swallow. It’s also a pretty good sign of the Opens setup at Manly Warringah.
“With three players from the 2021 Opens team taking up SSN contracts in 2022, there have been some changes to our playing group,” Clarke says.
“Claire Kowald has been elevated from the U23s to the Opens team and Sami Bondietti also joins the playing group this year and we are really excited to see them hit the court in the next few weeks!
“With SSN training partners Audrey Little (Swifts), Jemma Donoghue and Charli Fidler (GIANTS) returning, along with Latika Tombs, Amber Brophy and Habi Batu there is still plenty of experience on offer.
“We have loved seeing Kelly Singleton and Teigan O’Shannassy perform strongly throughout the NSW Swifts preseason and are so excited to see what they can do in 2022!”
There’s something pretty special in those waters down Manly way, and the talent conveyor belt is showing no signs of slowing down.
