New coach bolsters Saints’ defence

GOALKEEPER Chloe Meulenmeesters will bolster the A-grade netball team’s defence as she takes on the coaching role for next Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.

After fifth-placed finishes the past two seasons, Heathcote will be aiming to build on the momentum.

Meulenmeesters makes her way to Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve after a nine-year career of A-grade netball across the Riddell DFNL and Goulburn Valley.

The talented ‘keeper represented Jika and Elma at regional state titles and takes charge of a Saints’ squad that includes centre and triple Esther Cheatley medallist Brooke Bolton who teamed with Kelsey Hayes to co-coach the Saints in A-grade the past two years.

A knee injury put Hayes on the sidelines early last season.

Try-outs for Heathcote FNC’s netball teams will start on November 21 at 6.30pm at Pigeon Park.

Another session will be run on November 30 at a Bendigo venue to be confirmed at 9.30am.

Final try-out is December 5 at Pigeon Park from 6.30pm.

Players to wear plain clothing. No club merchandise to be worn for the netball try-outs.

Register via the link on Heathcote FNC’s page on Facebook.

On the footy front, dynamic forward Zak Saad has re-signed for another season.

In a brilliant start to his first season at the club, Saad kicked 10 goals in the opening three games.

A knee injury in round four meant he did not play until the 14th round.

From nine games, Saad kicked 23 goals in Heathcote’s run to the first semi-final.