Jemmah Lynch appointed Old Collegians playing-coach for WDFNL 2022

And new A grade playing-coach Jemmah Lynch is aiming to do the same in the Warrnambool and District league 2022 season.

Despite losing key players during the off-season, the Warriors claimed fifth spot and presented as a danger side for the final series that didn't eventuate because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Last year from where we started to where we finished - I know we proved a lot of people wrong," she said.

"We're definitely hoping we can do that again next year."

Recruits like Lynch, Grace Bell and Emily Jansen Van Beek helped the cause.

Lynch noted the new-look team now had a year under its belt and she feels it will only continue to get stronger with time.

Her decision to take on the top-grade role came after she took on the 17 and under coaching position.

She explained Old Collegians had a strong junior program with plenty of youngsters who will be looking to play WDFNL senior netball.

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The new coach wants to help players and mentors across all grades.

Exposing junior players to senior netball is on the agenda as Lynch feels there's much to be gained even from interacting with senior coaches and players.

And as she noted "as a junior you don't usually get those hard knocks and passes that you might get with seniors".

She'll certainly be encouraging juniors to train with the senior group.

The former Port Fairy player also said she felt encouraged to go for the A grade position.

"Since I changed clubs and league last year Old Collegians has just really felt like home," she said.

"I felt a lot of support to take on the role."

While she'll be playing-coach, Lynch intends to have an assistant help from the sideline.

What has impressed her about the club is its united culture from junior level to senior level, across football and netball.

"Everyone is on a level-playing field," she said.

Lynch clearly felt comfortable and had an outstanding first season, winning the club's best and fairest and making The Standard's team of the year.

She said those personal awards where a big reflection on the club's culture and her coach Jess Toleman.

Lynch praised Toleman for playing her in a completely new position - wing attack - and for teaching her something different.

She had played centre at Port Fairy in 2019 in the Hampden league division one competition. She won the league best and fairest that year.

While it will be Lynch's first top-grade coaching role she gained three years of junior coaching experience at the Seagulls.

She's also captained many Port Fairy sides.

Seeing youngsters develop from junior level to senior netball is something that brings her great joy.

The first-year mentor said the club was still finalising coaches for its other senior and junior grades.

Once that's done she's hoping to have a few pre-season sessions before Christmas before getting going properly in the New Year.

Lynch joined the green and gold in 2021 following nearly 300 games, between juniors and seniors, at Port Fairy.

Nirranda and Allansford are among the other WDFNL A grade sides which have appointed new coaches.

The Blues appointed Lisa Arundell coach in October to replace 2018 premiership mentor Steph Townsend.

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