NETBALL coaches are seemingly in short supply, with nine Hampden league clubs yet to announce A grade leaders for next season.
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As many as seven clubs are likely to have new coaches at the elite level in 2015 in a major reshaping of the competition.
The only confirmed coach for next season is Terang Mortlake’s Aimee Arundell, who has been reappointed for a second year.
Arundell said yesterday veteran defender Jess O’Connor would be her assistant coach. O’Connor missed most of last season after having her third child.
Arundell said she was excited about having O’Connor to bounce ideas off.
“It will be good to go into it having a bit more of an idea knowing what it will be like and having Jess as an assistant,” she said.
“Last year it was tough being my first year and being a playing coach.”
She said Julia Moloney, who suffered a broken ankle, had spent much of the year providing insights from the bench, which had helped her.
But the Bloods are looking forward to Moloney having a full year on the court.
The market for playing coaches is tight, according to clubs, with most still hunting for the right candidate more than a month after they started searching.
Two talented players are set to join the league, with at least four clubs believed to be chasing the pair.
The Standard understands the elite midcourters, who will play at the one club, are close to making a decision on their home for 2015. Once they declare their destination, a series of announcements could be forthcoming from clubs.
Last year’s premiers North Warrnambool Eagles, this year’s elimination finalist South Warrnambool, wooden-spooner Warrnambool and seventh-placed Port Fairy are all believed to have had discussions with the pair.
The Eagles are in the market for a coach for the first time in three years after Sharon Kenna stepped down following the club’s preliminary final loss to Hamilton Kangaroos.
South Warrnambool president Jock O’Connor said the Roosters were looking for a replacement for veteran goalie Leah Kermeen, who is keen to focus on playing, while Warrnambool’s first-year coach Chloe Arnott and Port Fairy’s two-year coach Emma Cust are not continuing in their roles.
Camperdown is searching for fresh blood after midcourter Tracey Baker stepped down, while Cobden is close to making an announcement.
Sara Byrne is keen for a second season with Hamilton Kangaroos after leading them to the grand final this season after a winless 2013 but the club is unlikely to make any formal announcements until next month.
Portland’s 2014 leader Kerri Jennings is in the running for the Tigers’ job again but like the Kangaroos, the club is working through the formal processes.
Premier Koroit will have a new coach after veterans Kate Dobson and Kate Foster announced they were stepping aside. The Saints have identified a new coach but are waiting to lock in a second coach in what is expected to be a shared set-up.