ELMORE has pulled off a massive coup, signing Kangaroo Flat premiership star and Australian under-17 team player Ruby Barkmeyer for the 2019 HDFNL netball season.
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Barkmeyer joins a Bloods team entering the new year on a high after last season qualifying for the finals for the first time since 2012.
The move to Elmore reunites the star goal shooter with her former Kangaroo Flat 17-and under coach Sue Borserio, who is in her second year in charge at Elmore.
Together the pair won BFNL 17-and-under premierships in 2014 and 15.
The major signing continues a rewarding off-season for the Bloods, who have also added Bendigo Spirit and Braves basketballer Caitlin McLachlan and former Mitiamo captain Chloe Whitfield to the team which finished fifth in 2018.
Borserio said Barkmeyer had not even been on the club’s radar until a recent approach from the former BFNL Rising Star award winner.
“Ruby approached me to play at Elmore as she is looking to build her game in goal attack and was looking for a change outside the BFNL,” she said.
“It’s a case of timing, I was in the right place at the right time. Ruby and I have worked together previously as coach and player and I saw her last week and she spoke to me about seeing if there was a fit for her at Elmore with her other netball commitments in Melbourne.
“”She’s just finished a three-year scholarship at Geelong Grammar and is looking to for other opportunities to build her netball game around her VNL and Victorian squad commitments.
“Kangaroo Flat has been fantastic, but it’s time to move on to other challenges. Elmore is the perfect fit for Ruby, having already been coached by me.
“Elmore is abuzz with excitement to have a payer of the calibre of Ruby, an Australian under-17 team member, state player, VNL premiership player and multiple BFNL premiership player.
“The players are excited to play alongside her and she will bring great experience to our team.”
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Barkmeyer, who represented Victoria at last year’s 17-and-under national championships, will continue to play VNL netball in 2019 with Geelong Cougars.
The teenager was best-on-court in the Cougars’ 19-and-under premiership win in 2017, in a performance highlighted by her clutch long range shooting.
Borserio hinted the Bloods might not be done yet with their recruiting, with talks continuing with one more ‘key’ player.
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