A NEW season is months away, but Heathcote Football Netball Club president Bec Dickinson is already looking at building on the club\u2019s resurgence in 2023.<\/p>\n
After several years near or bottom of the senior footy ladder, Heathcote struck back to be runner-up to Mount Pleasant in last month\u2019s Bendigo Bank Heathcote FNL grand final.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an incredible season,\u201d Dickinson said.<\/p>\n
Although the Saints did not win their first senior premiership since 2013 the club showed it could be a force to be reckoned with in 2024.<\/p>\n
Dickinson said many people had played a role in the club\u2019s rise.<\/p>\n
President the past five years, she said the work of previous senior coaches Luke Bell and Wayne Primmer helped strengthen the club.<\/p>\n
\u201cA big factor is the stability of the club\u2019s committee,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWayne Primmer brought in old-school thinking of being accountable for your actions on the field and the way players trained.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dickinson said the move to appoint Andrew Saladino as senior coach leading into 2022 was a gusty call by the committee.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndrew was keen to return to Heathcote. He had never coached a team, but the committee was impressed in his approach to the role.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was all about giving Andrew a chance and he is an amazing coach.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saladino was able to bring some top-line recruits to the club across 2022 and 2023, had some former players return, and younger players mark dramatic improvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo have a Heathcote boy return to our club and do what he has done is incredible,\u201d said Dickinson.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has a great rapport with people, asks lots of questions and is always willing to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Saints had many players improve dramatically last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing able to attract quality recruits is important, but developing the players from Heathcote and nearby is also crucial to our long-term success,\u201d said Dickinson.<\/p>\n
The club president said the influence of assistant coach and captain Codie Price was another big factor in the team\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
\u201cCodie had won a premiership at Sandhurst, had coaching aspirations and his professionalism and skill has helped our club so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Codie\u2019s fianc\u00e9e Brooke Bolton is a star on the netball court for the Saints and a dual league fairest and best winner.<\/p>\n
When it came to the netball side of the club, Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes will stay on as co-coaches of the Saints\u2019 A Grade team.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of this season\u2019s 17 & Under team move into seniors and will be pushing for places in the high grades,\u201d said Dickinson.<\/p>\n
With many of the Heathcote FNC players and their families holding strong links to the clubs as players, officials, and supporters meant so much said Dickinson.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have amazing support from the businesses and community. Without their on-going support we would not be the club we are,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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A NEW season is months away, but Heathcote Football Netball Club president Bec Dickinson is already looking at building on the club\u2019s resurgence in 2023. After several years near or bottom of the senior footy ladder, Heathcote struck back to be runner-up to Mount Pleasant in last month\u2019s Bendigo Bank Heathcote FNL grand final. \u201cIt […]<\/p>\n