Bowles, who has spent the past two seasons with the HDFNL’s Demons, replaces Nadine Anderson, who has stepped down.

Anderson had led the Demons to consecutive A-grade grand final appearances against Colbinabbin in 2016 and ‘17.

Bowles brings a wealth of netball experience, skills and knowledge, having previously played A-grade with Kangaroo Flat, where she won multiple premierships.

She shared a Betty Thompson Medal as the Bendigo league’s best and fairest with Maryborough’s Krystal Doherty, while playing for the Roos in 2008.

Bowles joined her footballing husband Gavin at White Hills in 2016 and captained the A-grade side in her first year, and also won the club’s best and fairest.

“We are very excited to have Lauren as our netball leader in 2018, with planning for the season already underway,” said White Hills netball director Janene Cass.

“Lauren is an integral player and outstanding on-court leader and has worked closely with outgoing head coach Nadine Anderson over the last two seasons.”

Anderson steps down from the role after two extremely successful seasons as head coach – including multiple grand final appearances and premierships across all grades. 

“Nadine has worked extremely hard over the last two seasons to instil a positive and strong culture that we felt our netball club needed,” Cass said.

“She has without doubt improved the work ethic of our players both on and off court and we thank Nadine for the many hours she has committed to the club.

“She has assisted us in developing our netball club as a whole, whilst also focusing on our juniors in 2017, which we see as an integral part of our future.

“There has left an incredible legacy for both our junior and senior netball teams, and we have no doubt Lauren will build on this in season 2018.”

Despite missing games at the start of the season, Bowles polled 14 votes in the 2017 league best and fairest, to finish second highest among White Hills players, behind defensive teammate Anna Grace-Close.