THE Hampden league is losing its premier midcourter Maddie Smedts, who is preparing to reignite her career at elite level.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The North Warrnambool Eagles star is moving to Geelong where she will join the Geelong Cougars’ championship division Victorian Netball League side.
Smedts has also committed to Geelong Football League club Leopold.
The 22-year-old said yesterday leaving the Eagles after returning this year from a stint at rival Cobden had been tough.
“I’m disappointed (to be leaving) because I loved my year back at North with all the girls,” she said.
“If I was staying in Warrnambool I would be staying at North Warrnambool but I need to do this. It was disappointing we didn’t make the grand final but you can’t hold yourself back. I’m really excited about going back to Geelong.”
Smedts spent three seasons with the Cougars between 2009 and 2011, playing 19 and unders in her first year before graduating to championship level.
“I’ve missed it heaps,” she said of Victoria’s elite competition.
“I’m moving away because I want to play VNL. We had trials a couple of months ago. We had three try-outs and I’m really excited about playing that level again.”
Smedts said she was also keen to be closer to her twin brother Billie, a Geelong AFL player, and older sibling Todd.
She will move in with Billie after Christmas before launching her own pre-season with the Cougars.
Training begins next week but the Cougars have a pre-season competition in February before the season opens.
Smedts said Billie and herself were good friends with former Warrnambool footballers Kevin Bourke and Lucas Boyd. She will join the pair at Leopold.
Her decision to leave the Eagles is a blow for the 2013 premiers, denied a chance to defend their flag in September when they were beaten by Hamilton Kangaroos in a preliminary final upset.
But Smedts said the Eagles had plenty of talented teenagers ready to fill any void — a point emphasised by new non-playing coach Jody Roth, whose appointment was announced on Thursday night.
Maddie’s mother Jackie, a life member of the club, has been reappointed to coach the 13 and unders, maintaining the family’s strong connection to the club.
The arrival, departure and other announcements have made it a busy week at Bushfield.
