James Murphy
THE Penola Netball Club is primed for another fruitful year and appears to be in good stead to continue from where it left off last season.
The Eagles claimed the A Grade, B Grade and Division 1 junior titles in 2021 – a trifecta which displayed their strength across the entire Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara netball competition.
However, the club will have to wait a few more weeks to hit the court due to a later-than-usual start date for the 2022 season.
While the other leagues of the region kick off this week, Penola and its rival KNT clubs will wait until April 23 to begin.
That gives plenty of time for hype to build, in what looks to be another strong display from the Penola netballers.
Taking over as Penola Netball Club president this year is Sally Skeer, who is no stranger to the role, having served in the top job in the past.
She said all is shaping up well at McCorquindale Park in the lead up to round one.
“It is looking really positive,” Skeer said.
“We have great numbers across both seniors and juniors again this year.”
Premiership coach Kaitlin Egan is back at the helm of the A Grade team this season, while Skeer said the return of Jordyn Adams from Adelaide is another exciting prospect for the club.
As far as player movements go, Skeer said the gains and losses are relatively balanced.
“We have definitely lost a few players due to pregnancy and injury and those sorts of things,” she said.
“We have also gained a lot back from pregnancies and babies, so despite the fact the teams are going to look slightly different, I don’t think we have lost any depth at all.
“We have probably gained depth so that will be really positive.”
Penola should also remain competitive in the junior ranks, while a handful of youngsters will again put themselves to the test in the senior grades.
“We will have both Siobhan (Adams) and Tess Porter as part of our A Grade side and also our Div 1 sides this year,” Skeer said.
“We also have a few training partners coming up as well in A and A Reserve.
“Our juniors continue to be part of our senior squads and it is a really good steppingstone for their futures.”
Off the court Skeer will be supported by outgoing president Karly Honner in the vice president role, along with a strong committee, in what is hoped to be a successful season for the club in all areas.
Due to the many interruptions and restrictions caused by Covid last season, Skeer said she is excited for some of the social aspects of the game to return this year.
That will include the club’s bi-annual dinner auction, which was cancelled last season due to Covid.
“We are just hoping to get back that social ability where our netballers and footballers can get together on a Saturday night and actually celebrate wins, losses and that sort of stuff,” Skeer said.
“Also, we are hoping to do a bit more across the juniors and seniors -training together and mentoring each other.
“We really haven’t had the opportunity to do that either the last couple of years because of Covid.”
With such strong results in 2021, there will be plenty of eyes on the Eagles again this year as they look to back up their successes.
However, Skeer said there is no feeling of expectation from the club and it will simply continue to display its competitive nature in each contest.
“I don’t think we feel the pressure to be up there,” she said.
“I think we have set ourselves a standard of netball that we would like to continue.
“If that means we follow the same sort of path, well that’s the ultimate goal.”
