Sun shines on new era for netball

THE Surf Coast Suns has locked in superstar local playing coach Casey Carroll and her partner Brendan White as its inaugural senior netball coaches for season 2026 and beyond.

The duo was appointed by the Suns as co-coaches today (Tuesday, September 2) following a strong coaching search over the past six to 12 months.

Carroll, a two-time Margaret Webb Medal winner and former GFL A Grade league best and fairest, brings a wealth of experience to the top job.

After suiting up for St Mary’s, Torquay, Bell Post Hill and the Geelong Cougars over the past decade, the star mid-courter moved into a player/coach position at Winchelsea at the end of the 2019 season.

She has led Winchelsea to finals in the past four seasons, including finishing third in a highly competitive GDNL season this year.

Carroll said she was rapt to be leading the Suns forward into this exciting new chapter.

“This sort of opportunity doesn’t come around very often, so for us its really exciting to be part of something new and to be helping to build something from the ground up.

“Surf Coast Suns has a long period of junior development and player participation, so for us it’s about looking at what has already been developed and utilised here as well as looking at recruitment.

“We are really looking to tap into the skills and development of some of the locals, as well as trying to bring that in from other players as well.”

Suns netball president Claire Sadler said the club was confident in making a big splash in their first season in the Bellarine Football Netball League in 2026.

“We are so excited to have Casey and Brendan joining us at the Suns.

“They’ve really rebuilt the program at Winchelsea over the past six years, and we can’t wait for them to do the same here at the Suns.

“It’s a really big role building a senior side and we are rapt to see that they share the excitement and passion that we do about our future.”