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Tongala Netball Club has appointed Dylan Nexhip as its A-grade coach for the 2013 Murray Netball League season.

Nexhip has been involved with the club from a young age, with both his parents being involved both as players and committee members, and his appointment has been well received by the players.

He has played football with the club for many years but is giving up playing next season to focus on his netball coaching role.

He co-coached the under-15s last season to a premiership win and has always had a keen interest in netball and is excited about the challenge of coaching A-grade.

Nexhip has already been in talks with a number of possible new players for the club.

Andrea Reid has been reappointed C-grade coach and will be assisted by Tracey Hughes.

Reid missed playing last season while pregnant and is hoping Tongala’s C-grade can achieve back-to-back premierships so she can enjoy the success as a player as well as coach. The club is still sourcing coaches for its B and C-reserve teams and anyone interested is asked to phone Vanessa Reid on 0447457197.

Abbey Pettifer is returning to the club after a couple of years playing for Shepparton Swans in the Goulburn Valley League. Pettifer will coach the under-17s and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as a fresh young face for the girls to look up to. The club did not have enough players to field an under-17 side last season but is hopeful the appointment of Pettifer might encourage some new players to join.

Ashlee Candy is also returning to the club after a couple of years away and she will be coaching the under-15s.

Talented teenager Abbey Nexhip is taking on the coaching role of under-12s, and in her first year of coaching she will have the help of last year’s coach Vanessa Reid.

The club is delighted to have experienced last season’s Melbourne Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg coming to take a couple of pre-season training sessions this year.

Pre-season training starts on January 25 at 6pm and will then be held on Wednesdays and Fridays with a barbecue each week after Friday training. Any interested players are encouraged to attend, including any under-17s or under-15s who want some pre-season fitness. Senior grading will be held on February 23 at 10am, plus Wednesday, February 27 and Friday, March 1 at 6pm. The teams will be announced soon after.

The club is holding a junior meet and greet night on February 22 from 5pm to 6pm. All girls interested in playing should attend as the club is keen to field teams in all junior grades in 2013 (under-11s, under-12s, under-13s, under-15s and under-17s).

The 2013 season kicks off on Good Friday, March 29 at Nathalia. This round is always a highlight of the year and draws a big crowd.

Any players unable to attend the junior meet and greet night or senior grading should phone Vanessa Reid on 0447457197 or Dylan Nexhip on 0439569306.