Swannies ready to roll

OFCFNC head coach Tim Smith.

Olinda Ferny Creek’s 2019 netball campaign kicks off on Saturday 13 April with the club hosting Narre Warren in the newly created AFL Outer East competition.

The club will field five netball sides this year with 17-and-under in juniors along with A, B, C and D grades in open ranks.

The squad has been training since the start of February and recently completed trial games against Heatherton Football Netball Club.

Anticipation is high and the excitement is building as the club competes in premier league against some old foes along with new opponents in Beaconsfield, Berwick, Cranbourne and Narre Warren.

Olinda Ferny Creek’s A-Grade is the reigning premier, having won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018.

They are now chasing a three-peat in 2019.

B-Grade is eager to go one step further in 2019 and reach a grand final after narrowly missing out on the opportunity last year.

C-Grade and D-Grade’s situation is similar to B’s

After not being able to field a 17-and-under side in 2018, the club is very excited to re-enter a side this year with some very talented young ladies ready to take the court.

The club has a very experienced coaching panel in place to help the girls achieve their goals. Premiership coach Tim Smith returns as head coach.

Four-time league best and fairest winner Krista Carpenter is development coach and ex-Melbourne Vixen Ashlee Hottes is strength and conditioning coach.

They will be ably supported by assistant coaches Jo Hawksworth and Georgia Martin with Mez Summers coaching the 17-and-under group.

At the club’s recent season launch, star goal shooter Peri Stewart was elevated to the netball leadership group along with Krista, Ashlee and Georgia.

There are still a few spots available in the roster for both open and 17-and-under grades.

The squad trains on a Thursday night and plays on a Saturday.

For more information, email Matt on netball@ofcfnc.org.au or call 0434 401 844.

The netball action kicks off this Saturday from 10.30am at Olinda Recreation Reserve.