South Mildura coach Loretta Thompson will take charge of the SFNL A Grade netball side for their interleague clash with Heathcote and District in May.
A PASSION for furthering SFNL netball has inspired Loretta Thompson to take on the league’s interleague side for 2019.
The South Mildura premiership coach will have the reins for Sunraysia’s May 18 home clash with Heathcote and District and was excited and honoured to have the opportunity.
“I’ve lived in Mildura and the Sunraysia area for the past 18 years and I have coached at South Mildura for quite a few years in the past 10 years,” Thompson said.
“I just think that, especially in our A Grade competition, a lot of clubs have built up their skill level and it’s a really close competition.
“We’ve got some really good girls out there.
“I just think that needs to be seen throughout the region so if I can help that and promote netball in Sunraysia I’m happy to do that.”
Having played her junior netball in the North Central league, Thompson said she wanted to maintain the commitment to country netball.
“A lot of country leagues have dropped off with younger people moving to the cities for work but they are still quite tough, they do have that commitment and passion for netball. I’d like to get that into our Sunraysia girls as well,” she said. “We want to be the best.”
After heading a strong program at South Mildura, Thompson was also looking forward to working with the cream of the crop of Sunraysia netball.
“Being a school teacher for the past 18 years so I know some of these girls from a young age,” she said.
“It’s a really positive stance from Sunraysia’s point of view that these young girls are stepping up to the A Grade level and we’ve still got our more mature players whot are still very keen as well to be playing at the best level.
“Over the past three years our top A Grade netballers want to be part of this team and represent the SFNL, they are buying into it … at the end of the day we want to put our best team on the court.”
Lime Therapy is the sponsor for the SFNL A Grade team.
Trials to be held in the lead-up to selection.
Clubs expected to put their A Grade players from 2018 forward for the trials and from there a selection panel will decide the team for the clash.
Photo and story courtesy of Sunraysia Daily
