Cougars set for homecoming

GEELONG’S top netballers are eagerly counting down to their first home game of the Victorian Netball League season.

The Cougars travel to Melbourne each Wednesday to compete at the State Netball Centre in Parkville, meaning local supporters rarely get the chance to watch the region’s top netball talent in person.

Four years into her time with the program, shooter Emma Buwalda is thrilled to be preparing to play in Geelong.

She hopes the 12 July fixture at Geelong Arena will be a timely reminder to the community that the club is here and providing essential pathways for the region’s netball talents.

“We play midweek in Melbourne,” Buwalda said. “We know it’s hard; people are working.

“To be able to host a home game in Geelong on a Sunday, it’s such good timing.

“There’s curtain raiser games beforehand, it’ll be great for all ages and for all of our family and friends to come along.

“The arena is in the heart of Geelong so I am so excited to showcase our netball and the elite talent in Geelong.”

This season’s championship team is under new leadership, with Mel Savage taking over from Gerard Murphy after he received a Super Netball call-up at the end of last year.

Buwalda said the transition had been seamless and reflected the strength of coaching and playing talent within the region.With a long history of players and staff progressing from the Cougars into Super Netball, she said Geelong is the place to be.

Joining the Cougars from another VNL squad after moving to Geelong, Buwalda said the club’s culture was one of its greatest strengths.

“The club is awesome,” she said.

“The girls are great, so welcoming to any ages, which has been amazing. It’s like a second family.”

That culture, she said, helped make the regular travel to Melbourne and training commitments worthwhile.

An emphasis on bonding as well as skill development has helped build a strong foundation, not only at championship level but across the under-23s, development and men’s squads as well.

Buwalda said the club’s strong culture was reinforced by a commitment to shared goals.

“We know training can become pretty intense and heavy, especially when it gets to the cold winter and we’re playing night times in Melbourne,” she said.

“Everyone gets a bit tired sometimes, so staying connected and building those friendships so everyone can slot in really nicely is so good.

“It makes netball really enjoyable. It feels I haven’t been there for as long as I have, but it’s just so great. It also sometimes feels like I’ve been there forever.”

The Geelong Cougars will play Western Warriors in round 17 at Geelon TAHLIA SINCLAIR

Geelong’s top netballers are eagerly counting down to their first home game of the Victorian Netball League season.

The Cougars travel to Melbourne each Wednesday to compete at the State Netball Centre in Parkville, meaning local supporters rarely get the chance to watch the region’s top netball talent in person.

Four years into her time with the program, shooter Emma Buwalda is thrilled to be preparing to play in Geelong.

She hopes the 12 July fixture at Geelong Arena will be a timely reminder to the community that the club is here and providing essential pathways for the region’s netball talents.

“We play midweek in Melbourne,” Buwalda said. “We know it’s hard; people are working.

“To be able to host a home game in Geelong on a Sunday, it’s such good timing.

“There’s curtain raiser games beforehand, it’ll be great for all ages and for all of our family and friends to come along.

“The arena is in the heart of Geelong so I am so excited to showcase our netball and the elite talent in Geelong.”

This season’s championship team is under new leadership, with Mel Savage taking over from Gerard Murphy after he received a Super Netball call-up at the end of last year.

Buwalda said the transition had been seamless and reflected the strength of coaching and playing talent within the region.With a long history of players and staff progressing from the Cougars into Super Netball, she said Geelong is the place to be.

Joining the Cougars from another VNL squad after moving to Geelong, Buwalda said the club’s culture was one of its greatest strengths.

“The club is awesome,” she said.

“The girls are great, so welcoming to any ages, which has been amazing. It’s like a second family.”

That culture, she said, helped make the regular travel to Melbourne and training commitments worthwhile.

An emphasis on bonding as well as skill development has helped build a strong foundation, not only at championship level but across the under-23s, development and men’s squads as well.

Buwalda said the club’s strong culture was reinforced by a commitment to shared goals.

“We know training can become pretty intense and heavy, especially when it gets to the cold winter and we’re playing night times in Melbourne,” she said.

“Everyone gets a bit tired sometimes, so staying connected and building those friendships so everyone can slot in really nicely is so good.

“It makes netball really enjoyable. It feels I haven’t been there for as long as I have, but it’s just so great. It also sometimes feels like I’ve been there forever.”

The Geelong Cougars will play Western Warriors in round 17 at Geelong Arena on 12 July.