Netball NSW would like to congratulate Kirstie Fuller, who holds an Advanced Coaching Accreditation, on her appointment as Head Coach of Central Coast Heart U23s, who take part in the Origin Energy Premier League.
We chatted with Kirstie, pictured second from left above, to discuss her journey along with Netball NSW pathway as a Regional Coach and her excitement leading into the 2022 netball season.
When did you first begin coaching and why?
I grew up in Glen Innes and started coaching there by running a version of NetSetGO at age 15 before I started coaching representative netball when I was 17 with Glen Innes Netball Association. Netball has always been a big part of my life; my Mum has coached since before I was born so I grew up courtside. Living in a small country town, loving netball and being involved in development programs such as the Northern Inland Academy of Sport for six years and 17s and 19s Emerging Talent Squads, helped me progress in coaching so I could give back to others in my community.
What has being a Regional Coach taught you?
I love being a Regional Coach, it has taught me about the values of commitment, responsibility, dedication and being driven – you cannot do these jobs without those values. Metro folk are always shocked to see photos of our netball courts, particularly when I was growing up, there were only two asphalt courts of pretty low quality. I love regional places for this reason though, it shows that you can coach netball anywhere and with hard work you can end up wherever you aspire to be.
What has your involvement been in the Netball NSW Performance Pathway?
In 2008, I spent one year as an Assistant Coach at Northern Inland Academy of Sport before transitioning to the role of Head Coach from 2009 to 2016. In 2017, 2018 and 2020, I had the honour of being appointed as State Team Apprentice Coach and loved it! I loved the intensity and the higher expectations you could have of players and training. I also found it rewarding and exciting working with players who had missed out on State Teams one year and the made it in the next. This was an amazing role and Nationals is something I cannot even describe. Developing relationships with those in your team and watching them grow and some even play Super Netball, it’s just the best!
This year I was also incredibly grateful to be appointed as Head Coach of the first Regional Emerging Team. This was really special because I am very passionate about helping, offering and providing regional athletes with the opportunities to develop their skills, learn about and be exposed to the high-performance environment, and in the long term, reach their goals of NSW teams and beyond. For me, this position allowed me opportunities to develop and deliver my own program, and also be mentored by the brilliant Anita Keelan and work alongside other great coaches.
I love the whole concept that Regional players can prove themselves against metro players and join a squad of likeminded athletes who have faced the same challenges to get to this stage. Sydney might be a long way away for some and they might come from small towns or associations, but it’s an even playing field when we all get together, and regional athletes are always such a resilient hardworking bunch that it’s really rewarding to watch. I love that these players are given programs and space to grow that keeps them motivated and passionate, so that the love of netball is strong and their dreams of higher levels of the game can be seen as achievable.
How do you manage travel, life and coaching commitments?
I like the travel because it gives me time to think, plan and debrief with my carpool buddy to and from the courts. I think that having more commitments in terms of juggling things, it helps me to appreciate it all more. I have a great support system and I want to be a strong role model for my children, Colby (4 yrs) and Indigo (14 months), so they grow up knowing that when you commit to something, you do it wholeheartedly and if you have passions then you need to pursue them. I would also say being organised helps me and my children are happy to be dragged to the courts and sit on the side while I coach.
How are you feeling about your new coaching role?
I am very excited…and nervous, which is a good thing! Working alongside Amber Cross over the last couple of years has really inspired me and I am excited to see what I can create for Central Coast Heart which has such an excellent team culture. I am looking forward to connecting with a new set of athletes and to see what we can develop and achieve together.
Netball NSW would like to thank Kirstie for her ongoing support and commitment to the sport and wish her the best of luck in her new journey as Head Coach of the Central Coast Heart 23U team.
