KANGAROO Flat's quest for a first BFNL A-grade premiership since 2016 will again be led by Jayden Cowling.
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As expected, the Roos have announced Cowling's reappointment for a fifth year as coach of one of the league's powerhouse netball clubs.
Kangaroo Flat was well placed for a tilt at their ninth A-grade premiership before the 2021 BFNL season was cancelled last month due to COVID-19 complications.
The Roos were sitting atop the league ladder with 10 wins and draw from 11 games, two points clear of 2019 premiers Sandhurst (10 wins, one loss) and eight clear of Gisborne (eight wins, two losses, one draw).
With the cancellation of the 2021 season coming directly on top of no season at all in 2020, denying the Roos a chance to atone for their 2019 grand final defeat at the hands of Sandhurst, Cowling believed there was unfinished business at Dower Park.
"It was a bit of a no-brainer coming back in 2022 after how things ended up this season," he said.
"We had such a great year, not only on the court, but off the court as a club.
"I feel we've started something special at Kangaroo Flat and we look forward to continuing that on next year."
The Roos will head towards next season from a position of undoubted strength within the region's premier netball competition.
Their A-reserve team finished the year undefeated (11-0), while B-grade and B-reserve were placed second on the ladder behind Sandhurst.
Following a rebuilding year in 2019, the Roos' 17-and-under team rebounded strongly to end up third behind Gisborne and Sandhurst.
A brilliant season at A-grade level was always on the cards for the Roos following the high-profile signings of Ashley and Abbey Ryan from Eaglehawk, Carly Van Den Heuvel (Sandhurst), Bronte Deary (returning from White Hills) and VNL player Laura McDonald.
Cowling said he had early commitments from all five players to remain in green, white and black, as well as the rest of the A-grade list, headed by 2021 VNL division one MVP Chelsea Sartori.
"We said during the season that we've started something special with a pretty brand new look in A-grade and we want to continue that on," he said.
"The girls are all keen, so hopefully we get them all signed up pretty quickly. Not only in A-grade, but throughout the club.
"We have a few under-17s coming up, which is exciting for them and for us."
Talented juniors who will feature in the senior grades next season will include this season's BFNL 17-and-under representatives Siarne Cass and Macey O'Shea.
Cowling, who led the Roos to a B-grade flag win in 2016 and A-reserve premiership in 2017, was initially appointed A-grade coach for the 2018 season following Jannelle Hobbs' move to South Bendigo.
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