ELLA Tranter knows what it's like play in a BFNL 17-and-under grand final - she hopes one day she might get to coach in one.
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The 18-year-old from Carisbrook is not one to shy away from a challenge and says she is relishing her first coaching assignment at Maryborough as the leader of the Magpies junior team.
Familiarising herself with the region's premier junior netball competition has been no problem for the Magpies' quality A-grade midcourter.
It was only two seasons ago that Tranter herself was playing alongside twin sister Maggie in the 17-and-under competition as part of a Maryborough side, which made it all the way to a grand final against eventual premiers Sandhurst.
She also spent the 2018 season as a mentor to the 17-and-under playing group.
Tranter said she was grateful for the show of faith in her from the club's committee in entrusting her with the coaching role at such a young age.
Despite starting the season 0-2 with losses to South Bendigo and Castlemaine, the fledgling coach is certain a win is not too far away.
She could even draw some comparisons between her young side and the 17-and-under team she played in under then coaches Jordan Macilwain and Chloe Egan in 2017.
"They have great team chemistry and are also close off the court and go to school together," Tranter said.
"We've got a few new girls from other leagues this year but they have fitted in well.
"We were a bit unsettled early in the first game, but as the game went the girls started to develop their team work and work on the things we've done at training. I'm sure that will only improve as the season goes on."
Tranter has no shortage of experienced hands around the club to look to for guidance.
She listed A-grade star and league games record holder Alicia Cassidy, fellow 350-gamer Alisha Chadwick, her own former 17-and-under coaches, and the Magpies current A-grade coach Deb Symes all as influences.
"The likes of Alicia Cassidy and Alisha Chadwick are people I look up to greatly," she said.
"Alisha Chadwick isn't playing this year but she helps the club out so much, and having Alicia Cassidy with the amount of games she has played is definitely a role model.
"I know all the girls who play beside her learn so much from her and Jordan Macilwain as well."
A busy year for Tranter will not only include coaching and playing, but tertiary study at Federation University in Ballarat and a part-time job at the Bull and Mouth restaurant in Maryborough.
She hopes the Magpies A-grade team can carry their strong form from a season opening win against South Bendigo into this Saturday's clash against Eaglehawk and help lay the foundations to a potential finals berth.
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