NOW in charge as coach of Heathcote\u2019s A-grade netball team, Anna Dundon said rebuilding confidence and belief would be key goals as the season rolls on.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been a change at the top for the Saints after the resignation of A-grade coach and key defender Chloe Meulenmeesters.<\/p>\n
It was Dundon who stepped up from being netball operations manager to coach A-grade in last Saturday\u2019s match against Leitchville Gunbower at Pigeon Park in Heathcote\u2019s Barrack Reserve.<\/p>\n
The Dundon-coached Saints make their way to Elmore for this Saturday\u2019s sixth round clash in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.<\/p>\n
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.<\/p>\n
Playing Elmore on its court is another big challenge for the Saints team.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a number of young players coming through, so it\u2019s really about nurturing their growth,\u201d Dundon said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA focus is developing their skills, building strong on-court combinations, and helping them understand how to work together as a team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s so much raw talent in this group.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we need now is consistency, and that comes from time together, strong coaching support, and the players continuing to back themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we saw last weekend gave us a really promising glimpse of what this team is capable of, and it\u2019s exciting to think about where that can lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are under no illusions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis season has its challenges, especially going up against some of the league\u2019s best teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe girls have shown they can match it with them in patches, and that gives us something to build on.<\/p>\n
\u201cNext step is turning those patches into quarters, and eventually full games.\u201d<\/p>\n
After featuring in the past two A-grade finals series, Heathcote is eighth in this season\u2019s race on a one-three record.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now the goal isn\u2019t just to chase finals,\u201d Dundon said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s to play our brand of netball, grow stronger each week, and build the kind of culture that attracts and retains players.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we can do that, then finals will come.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere have been some standout individual performances this year,\u201d Dundon said of Heathcote\u2019s run against Mount Pleasant, Colbinabbin, Lockington Bamawm United and Leitchville Gunbower.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have had layers stepping up in key moments, younger ones taking on more responsibility, and a few who\u2019ve really surprised with their leadership on and off the court.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat growth is what I am most proud of as a coach.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heathcote FNC will not field an A-reserve team for the rest of this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe club is already working hard behind the scenes to strengthen the netball program,\u201d Dundon said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRecruiting new players, investing in development, and finding the right coaching fit for next season are all priorities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a long-term vision, but the work we do now will set the foundation for success in the years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Positives for the Saints include the B-grade and B-reserve teams being in third place on the ladder.<\/p>\n
In the run to the halfway mark of the home-and-away series Heathcote plays at Elmore this Saturday and then faces North Bendigo on May 31 at Pigeon Park.<\/p>\n
Round eight will be away matches at White Hills before the showdown of the Saints and Harlowe Huntly Hawks on June 14 at Heathcote\u2019s home in Barrack Reserve.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NOW in charge as coach of Heathcote\u2019s A-grade netball team, Anna Dundon said rebuilding confidence and belief would be key goals as the season rolls on. It\u2019s been a change at the top for the Saints after the resignation of A-grade coach and key defender Chloe Meulenmeesters. It was Dundon who stepped up from being […]<\/p>\n