MALI Roberts will make a surprise return as joint coach at Eaglehawk, only weeks after relinquishing the reins.
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The former Queensland Firebirds star and Papua New Guinean international initially stepped down at the end of the 2018 BFNL season with the intention of moving back home to Queensland.
But a new job offer has paved the way for Roberts to remain in Bendigo and continue with the Hawks, where she will join recently appointed A-grade and A-reserve coach Allira Holmes as a joint coach.
Roberts said developments on the work front had ‘happened quickly’ and she was now looking forward to continuing at Canterbury Park in what is an exciting new phase for the club.
She said being a joint coach would be ‘much easier and more flexible’ in regard to work commitments.
Roberts led Eaglehawk to consecutive finals appearances in her first two seasons with the club in 2017 and ’18.
The Hawks were beaten in this year’s first semi-final by Kangaroo Flat, after finishing the regular season in third spot, equal on 11 wins (from 14 games) with second-placed Gisborne.
Eaglehawk netball operations manager Debra Lawton said the change in circumstances for Roberts had come ‘out of the blue’, but the club was ‘over the moon’ to retain her services.
“We are totally rapt, it’s such great news for the club,” she said.
“In her two years, Mali has just put such great structures in place to take us forward, but for her to be able to stay and be a part of it is great.
“Mali is just so passionate about netball and our club.
“Her and Allira had an (early conversation) and they were on the same page immediately … they really have the same philosophy.”
Eaglehawk need look no further than their rivals Sandhurst as to the potential of a joint-coaching set-up.
The Dragons have won the past two A-grade flags under the stewardship of reappointed coaches Tamara Gilchrist and Heather Oliver.
Roberts and Holmes, whose appointment was announced last week, will take charge for the first time together at this Sunday’s first senior tryout at Canterbury Park from 2pm-4pm.
Holmes joins the Hawks after a decorated career with Golden Square.
The regular inter-league representative won the Bulldogs’ A-grade best and fairest in 2018, despite a delayed start to the season while travelling overseas.
She previously coached the Bulldogs to a grand final appearance in her lone season as head-coach at Wade Street in 2017.
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