WESTERN Region coach Sophie Barr says she is pleased with the calibre of netballers who have put their hands up for representative duty this weekend.
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Barr, 23, is part of a 10-member open squad contesting Netball Victoria state championships at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Saturday and Sunday.
The squad is one of three bound for Melbourne. Western will also have 17 and under and 15 and under squads chasing state glory.
Barr, a first-time coach at the titles, is upbeat about Western’s prospects against rivals from across Victoria.
The North Warrnambool Eagles attacker said convincing top netballers to represent the region had been difficult, given the timing of the tournament.
But she believed the squad assembled would be competitive. Eight of the 10 members hail from the top three Hampden league clubs in 2014.
“It has been fantastic to have so many girls commit. It’s been great to have that support from them,” she said.
“I’m really grateful to everyone that has committed. It does look like we’ve got a great squad. We should be competitive.
Barr takes on the role after spending the winter playing with the Eagles and VU Western Lightning, in the Victorian Netball League.
Experience coaching junior sides and a Melbourne University squad at Australian University Games also feature on her netball resume.
“Obviously having great coaches playing in the VNL the last five years, I feel like I’ve learnt a lot from that experience,” she said.
Barr played up her netballers’ versatility — a trait which looms as important with nine matches plus finals spread across the weekend.
She believed finishing in the top four and making finals was a realistic ambition.
“One of the things I wanted this year was (for us) to commit to be really competitive in this competition,” she said.
“But people have different circumstances. You have to respect the fact people don’t want to play netball for a whole weekend.
“It’s easy for people to commit for a Sunday, but to go down for a whole weekend, down on Friday and back on Sunday, it’s a big commitment.
“I can understand people are hesitant (to play). But we do have a great side. I’ll be doing everything I can to make sure we are competitive.”
South Warrnambool’s Gill Herrmann has the reins of the 17s while Koroit champion Stacey O’Sullivan will guide the 15s.
Ashleigh Hunter, Tina Parsons and Megan Logan will represent Western among the umpiring ranks.
