mmg.com.au

Tatong’s netballers are fit and firing ahead of the of the upcoming season, with the club recently announcing the A-grade and B-grade coaches for this year.

Emma Warnock has taken on A-grade, with Rachael Duncombe coaching the B-grade side.

Warnock, who came to the club late in the season last year, is looking forward to the opportunity.

‘‘I was asked to come out and play with Tatong towards the end of the season, so I went out and played a few games,’’ she explained.

‘‘I love playing netball and thought I may be able to help out so I offered to take on the A-grade coaching role in a playing-coach capacity,’’ she said.

Warnock has played for Bright, North Wangaratta, Moyhu and Mansfield, and comes from a netball loving family — both her mum and sister are keen players.

‘‘We’ve got netball running through our veins,’’ she joked.

She said pre-season had been promising so far, with close to 20 players attending sessions.

‘‘We just want to be competitive and have a fun season.’’

New B-grade coach Rachael Duncombe has played for Tatong for five seasons, and this year will be her first time as a coach.

She said the focus this season would be on improving on last year’s performance, while keeping the game fun and social.

Duncombe has been impressed with pre-season training so far.

‘‘We’ve had a good bunch of girls turning up each Monday and Wednesday,’’ she said.

‘‘We’ve been putting them through fitness training and now we’re really starting to get into the ball work.

‘‘(Our goal is) to remain professional and competitive, and have a good time.’’

Duncombe is likely to play with the club’s A-grade team.

The club is still in the process of appointing a B-reserve coach.

Tatong Football Netball Club will hold its netball team selections for A-grade, B-grade, B-reserve and under-17s in the coming weeks.

Selections will be held on Wednesday, March 14, Monday, March 19 and Wednesday March 21 at the Benalla Gardens Ovals from 6pm.

Past, present and new players are all welcome.

■Players who are unable to attend, or want further information, should phone the netball co-ordinators Larissa Montgomery on 57672192 or Julie Roberts on 57672300.