Incoming Coleambally netball coach, Sarah Hooper, is expecting a tough return to the Farrer League next year but looking forward to her debut season as an A grade coach.
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Hooper, a Riverina League best-and-fairest winner and representative netballer, has switched from Coolamon, where she coached A reserve at Coolamon last year as well as assisting, and learning from, Claudia Barton while playing A grade.
The Blues announced Hooper's appointment at their presentation function in October in an opportunity that the goal attack is excited to take up.
"When I was at CSU previous to joining Coolamon, I also coached out there. But taking on A grade (at Coleambally) is probably my first real A grade coaching role," Hooper said.
"I'm looking forward to it. There'll be some challenging things that arise, I'm sure. But it'll be good."
Hooper is aiming to make sure Coleambally can mix it with the best.
"When I was at CSU, it was definitely a strong league then," she said.
"It's pretty even with your top six teams and I think it really hasn't changed... I think it will be tough. But with our side, I think we'll be alright.
"We should hopefully be top four. It's hard to know so early. You never know what people will do in terms of movements... it'll keep us on our toes I think."
Hooper said she learnt plenty under Barton's coaching, where the big message was about putting in 110 per cent, and instilling belief in young players.
Coleambally finished fourth this year in a season dominated by North Wagga, CSU and Temora, who all finished level on 14 wins in 16 games.
The Kangaroos have had a minor coaching change with Ainsley McGrath joining Meg Reinhold as a co-coach.
"It should be good to bounce ideas off each other and it's my first proper coaching gig so it'll be good to have her there with me," McGrath, 20, said.
"She knows her netball inside out, she's very good to learn off and be coached by."
Reinhold, a centre court player, is looking forward to McGrath's defensive expertise.
Temora will lose Georgia Hughes and Chelsey Walker but are set to welcome back Jess Winkley and Emma McAuley
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