Twenty years after she was heavily involved in coaching netball in Wagga, Vicki Lawson is back on the court. And she couldn't be happier.
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"It has been enjoyable, it really has," Vicki said of coaching her granddaughter Chloe in the Nixons Lightning under 14s, in partnership with her daughter Catherine McMahon.
Putting their hands up for the role made it a family affair at the Nixons club (whose president, Tamara Edmunds was once coached by Vicki): another of her daughters, Sharnie, coaches two more of Vicki's granddaughters in the under 10s.
"It's the first time since 1999, back when I was doing rep, but then we moved to Wollongong and had to leave the coaching and the association behind," Vicki said.
Back then the involvement was strong with her daughters playing and husband, John, president of Wagga Netball and instrumental in the move from the Bolton Park courts to Equex.
A generation later, Vicki's return to coaching - at those courts, which now includes the new indoor stadium - has been great fun.
"I'm always back-to-basics. I think they need to know how to pass, positioning on the court, their channels. And I'm a little bit of a vocal coach so I'm trying to curb that a little bit," Vicki laughed. "The kids are the same - they're still enthusiastic, and they want to learn.
"It's just your attitude, I think... and the kids are listening, which is really good."
Vicki said it's a privilege to have a close involvement again.
"It's a proud moment. It is," she said.
"Not only for me to have some influence on Chloe and the way she plays netball, but for her to see that I do know what I'm talking about. I'm loving the involvement."
Vicki said she was locked in to coach before Covid-19 hit and she feels for the many grandparents deprived of watching junior sport this winter.
She also has high praise for Wagga Netball's organisational efforts.
"The netball is run so well and I'd like to take my hat off to the association for the way they're running it with the Covid. Logistically it must be a nightmare and they've done a great job," Vicki said.
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