New Grubbers coach appointed for back-to-back flag chase

THE Ocean Grove Football Netball Club has a new netball leader, and she’s got her eyes firmly set on raising the cup once again in 2024.

The club announced last Wednesday on their social media the appointment of local netball stalwart Mel Holmes as their A and B grade netball head coach for next season.

Holmes brings a wealth of sporting knowledge to the Grubbers, having played A Grade in the GDFNL and BFNL for over a decade where she collected several premierships at Bell Post Hill and Geelong Amateur.

Her success saw her become a Bell Post Hill team of the decade member and GDFNL and BFNL interleague competition representive.

Off the court, Holmes has coached various grades at Geelong Amateur in the BFNL and is a full-time coaching consultant for the Department of Education.

Holmes said she was incredibly excited to take the reins of such a “proud and successful club.”

“It’s a great opportunity to take on a serious coaching position and be at a club that has fantastic values.

“I’m really focused on fostering a commitment to teamwork, discipline and a winning mentality amongst the playing group, which is already entrenched at the club.

“I’ve got a great relationship with current club sharpshooter Bec O’Neill and her sister Elise Scott, player Kelsey Ollis and former A/B coach Nikki Cook. They all really helped to get me down here.

“I already feel really welcome, and it just feels right to take this on.”

Holmes said she is hoping to continue the recent successes of the club, having only just won their first A Grade premiership since 2004 last month.

“I’m so excited to continue making our netball program force to be reckoned with.

“The group we’ve got are amazing players and just as amazing people.

“I’m certainly not going to be making any serious changes, but just adding to what we’ve already got.

“Coaching to me is all about people first and developing the players mental health and this notion of being a part of a family.

“I look forward to fostering that and hopefully nabbing back-to-back titles for A Grade and one for B Grade as well.”

Holmes said she is also keen to lace up the runners and play for the Grubbers in B or C Grade.

Ocean Grove and fellow local clubs will begin preseason in the coming weeks for the upcoming season.