NEW Warrnambool coach Chloe Arnott was ready to return home after eight years in Melbourne.
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Arnott has signed on as the Blues’ A grade netball coach for the 2014 Hampden league season, replacing Kate Lindsey after a one-year stint in charge.
The tall goal shooter played for Koroit as a teenager before moving to Melbourne, where she played for Victorian Netball League club Boroondara Genesis.
Arnott, who also played for Palladiums, spent the past two seasons at premier league club Metro Revellers.
She had contemplated a return to the south-west for the past 12 months and said the opportunity to tackle an A grade coaching role was too good to let slip.
“It’s a fresh group of girls, so it’s an exciting challenge,” Arnott said. “I’d like to see Warrnambool make finals and I’d like to bring a strong sense of passion to the team.
“I want to bring up the young girls, so develop the under 17s and bring them up.
“We have a new team this year, so it will be good to get everyone familiar with everyone.”
Arnott, who will meet her new teammates tomorrow night, said she wanted strong leadership presence in each third.
She believes Kasey Owen will play a crucial role in defence, while she will do likewise in the attacking end.
“My playing style is fairly dominant in the goal circle,” she said. “I like the ball to be placed quite high being tall and I generally like to have a fast goal attack.
“I need to have a little, faster player around me.”
Arnott will travel from Melbourne for pre-season training before relocating to Warrnambool in March.
The personal trainer and remedial massage lecturer said the Blues would kick-start their pre-season campaign on January 14 with an emphasis on fitness.
Ball skills will be the focus early before match play becomes the priority nearing their round one showdown against South Warrnambool on April 6.