By Colin MacGillivray

One of the Horsham District Football Netball League’s youngest A Grade netball teams will be even younger in 2024, with Natimuk United set to field a new-look outfit.

While coach Danielle Hanson will return, her playing group will look vastly different, with five players departing from last year’s team.

Out are Beth Sudholz with university commitments, as well as Ebony Klowss and sisters Eliza and Mackenzie Camilleri, who all have travel plans. Also out for the season is Brooklyn Fraser, who tore a knee ligament before the start of pre-season training.

Hanson admitted a high turnover of players would be challenging for a young team that finished with four wins and 12 losses in 2023, but said the club’s young players would benefit from the experience.

“It’s hard, because there are big shoes to fill. Last year’s team was a young team, and this year’s team will be younger again,” she said.

“At the moment we’re trying to develop the team-bonding side of things.

“We’re not working on set plays yet, we’re just trying to get everyone bonded as a team and building camaraderie.”

Stepping into Natimuk United’s A Grade team will be midcourt players Jerae Trigg and Tahlia Dufty, who both featured in last year’s B Grade team.

The Rams have also picked up defender Keeta Scown from the Southern Mallee Giants, which amalgamated with Jeparit-Rainbow in the off-season to form the Southern Mallee Thunder.

Other inclusions are goalie Simone Skratek and midcourt players Mayci Porter and Alana Bascombe.

Hanson said a finals campaign was unlikely for the team in 2024, but that she would be pleased if the Rams’ young players continued to develop.

“We only won a few games last year, and I think it will be similar again,” she said.

“We have a younger team again, so my main focus is making sure the girls enjoy playing and enjoy being at Natimuk.

“We’re looking to develop our younger players and bring them out of their shells. I want their input and for them to feel like valuable members of the team.

“We still have young Olivia Sudholz who stepped up into the A Grade team last year, and there’s still more development ahead for her.

“Myself and Emily Hateley, who are the senior players, are still learning ourselves, so hopefully we can all learn and grow together.”

Coaches: 

A Grade: Danielle Hanson

B Grade:  Cheryl Sudholz

C Grade:  Kate-Lyn Perkin

C Reserve: Brooklyn Fraser

17-and-under: Ebony Rintoule

15-and-under: Courtney Cameron and Tahlia Dufty

13-and-under: Cheryl Sudholz and Janelle Skiller

NetSetGo: Acacia Blake and Emma Eubergang

The entire March 27, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire March 27, 2024 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!