FIFTH in last season\u2019s A Grade netball action, Heathcote has welcomed a couple of recruits for the upcoming Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.<\/p>\n
Among the newcomers for the Saints are goaler Sophie Pica and mid-courter Hayley Hogan.<\/p>\n
In the lead-up to another season where she is co-coach of A Grade, Brooke Bolton said Pica was keen to take to the netball court once again.<\/p>\n
\u201cSophie has spent the past couple of years playing basketball,\u201d Bolton said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe previously played A Grade netball with Strathfieldsaye Storm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hogan makes her way to Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve after a previous stint with Bridgewater.<\/p>\n
Knocked out of the premiership race in last year\u2019s elimination final, Bolton and Kelsey Hayes again team up joint coaches of the Saints\u2019 A Grade team.<\/p>\n
Since that finals clash goaler Annalyse Carroll has joined the new-look Maryborough Giants in the Maryborough Castlemaine DFNL.<\/p>\n
The Saints will also be without Maeve Hogan this season.<\/p>\n
Not only has Heathcote been busy on the recruiting front, but also looking at players to make the move up to the top grade.<\/p>\n
Among them is Jess Peck.<\/p>\n
\u201cJess had an outstanding year in A Reserve,\u201d Bolton said. \u201cShe played predominantly as goalkeeper and was third in the league fairest and best award.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was an incredible feat in a team which had just one victory.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Saints will also look to Telani Bibby and Nicole Foster as they make their way up from the under-17s.<\/p>\n
\u201cTelani can play in defence or mid-court,\u201d Bolton said. \u201cShe was the under-17 league medallist in 2022 and runner-up last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cNicole can play a variety of roles and has polled well in the club champion award the past two years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also on the comeback to the sport is athletic defender Eve Beedle who did play at under-17s level with the Saints.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FIFTH in last season\u2019s A Grade netball action, Heathcote has welcomed a couple of recruits for the upcoming Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season. Among the newcomers for the Saints are goaler Sophie Pica and mid-courter Hayley Hogan. In the lead-up to another season where she is co-coach of A Grade, Brooke Bolton said Pica was […]<\/p>\n