NEW HDFNL open netball joint coach Anna-Grace Close says she is a passionate supporter of the inter-league concept and will be going all out to lead the league to a win against a strong Sunraysia team in Mildura on May 18.
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The star White Hills defender will coach the team alongside netball stalwart and HDNL operations manager Jan Mannes, with the league aiming fora second-consecutive victory after a thrilling win against Geelong District last season, under the coaching of Colbinabbin's Liz Cobbledick.
That win snapped a two-game losing streak for the HDFNL.
It was a game Close well remembers, after being named best on court for the victorious HDFNL team.
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This one shapes as even more special for the 2018 Demons premiership star as it will be her first game as a coach.
She said the coaches were thrilled with the response of players wanting to be a part of the HDFNL team.
"To be honest I don't think you could have a better introduction to coaching, coaching superstars from across the league. I am super-excited," Close said.
"We are still finalising our squad. We have a training session next Tuesday and a final one on Thursday .... by next Tuesday we should have a clearer picture of who is in.
"We are lucky enough to have the girls wanting to take the weekend off and head up to Mildura."
To be honest I don't think you could have a better introduction to coaching, coaching superstars from across the league. I am super-excited.
- Anna-Grace Close
An expanded squad includes representatives from seven of the league's nine clubs.
Close admitted her first foray into coaching would be an intriguing experience given a good number of players in the final squad could come from her own dominant White Hills club, which has started the season in ominous form with four-straight convincing wins.
"There are five of us in the squad at the moment, which I am excited about - I know they are fantastic players," she said.
"But the mix of talent from right around the league is amazing.
"Sunraysia by all reports is going to have a very handy side, but we are definitely looking forward to the challenge.
"I'm pretty confident in our depth."
As a regular inter-league representative since her junior days and following her arrival at White Hills in 2017, Close relishes the opportunity of representing her league.
"You get to build friendships with girls from other clubs and it's a fun weekend - that's something I've tried to drill into the girls," she said.
"You get so much respect for your team-mates and you play good netball. I can't get enough of it."
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