The Bears have lured versatile and talented dual-code athlete Sharna Appleby to Serpentine in what they hope will be the first in a batch of exciting signings for the 2022 season.

The club is intent on rejoining the top-tier of the LVFNL competition after not fielding an A-grade line-up in 2021.

In the Bears' last season in A-grade in 2019, they finished as the best-placed team outside the finals in sixth with a 5-11 record under former coach Sally Sheahan.

They also finished sixth in 2017 with a 6-10 record under Cara Bastian, missing the finals by just one win and percentage.

Bears Lagoon-Serpentine will be led next season by former Eaglehawk netballer and Kangaroo Flat junior Stacee Burns.

The energetic 26-year-old was to have led the Bears in 2021 before the decision to withdraw from the A-grade competition was made.

She instead coached the club's B-grade and C-grade teams.

It's an experience she feels will stand her in good stead for the rigours of a crucial and tough season back in the top-tier for the Bears.

"At the start it was challenging, but after getting in there and meeting all the girls and getting started it was all good and I enjoyed the season," she said.

"Our C-grade improved a lot - they gelled as a team really well and it would be great to see them all come back and give it another go.

"They were awesome by the end of the season. Unfortunately, B-grade didn't get any wins but they made a lot of good friendships and became stronger players.

"Most of them are keen to come back."

C-grade finished fifth and would have played finals had they not been cancelled.

Burns arrived at Serpentine armed with plenty of solid experience , including stints as the coach of Bendigo Strathdale Netball Associiation's under-15 and under-13 squad teams.

Her under-15 squad was in one season crowned Northern Zone champions.

Burns' own playing career was cut short following a pair of Achilles injuries in 2019, but that has only strengthened her resolve to find success as a coach.

She is determined to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of returning the club to A-grade prominence.

"I am looking forward to it, " she said.

"I didn't really know what to expect last season, or know who was out there until I got there, but once I was out there I got to realise what a good club it is.

"It was disappointing not having an A-grade this year, but it would have been a very difficult year for some of our girls to step up and play in a higher level than they should have.

"I don't think anyone would have won from that and I don't think many of them would have wanted to play netball again, being put into a situation like that.

"The time away from A-grade gave them time to play at the right level, but we've committed to it this year.

"We'll put it together, train hard, start early and do everything we can to be back there."

Burns and the Bears' hard-working committee have been both busy and persistent in putting the feelers out for new players to join the club.

They have already picked up one and a talented one at that in Appleby, who has split time between basketball and netball over the years.

Burns is hoping her impact will be felt more than just on the court.

"Sharna played at Eaglehawk years ago when I played there and I remember watching her - I just loved the way she moved on the court," she said.

"She will teach our younger girls a lot and she will certainly bring a lot of positive energy to our club.

"People will be excited to have a new face around and hopefully she can help draw a few more players to the club."

The Bears can head into the off-season in a stable position with all of their coaching positions filled for next season.

Burns will also coach B-grade, Tahlia Holmberg will take the reins of C-reserve and Paris Stewart will take charge of 17-and-under.

The crucial role of junior development coach has been filled by Amber Gibson, who will also coach the C-grade team.

Senior and junior tryouts for Bears Lagoon-Serpentine will be held in December, with two sessions at Serpentine and one at the Golden City Netball Association courts.

Following a season off in 2021 to focus solely on her basketball commitments with the Bendigo Braves, Appleby has been reinvigorated by the move to Bears Lagoon-Serpentine.

"After not playing for two years, I was looking forward to getting back into it and finding my love for netball again," the 24-year-old said.

"That's when the club reached out for a chat. I was really happy with that.

"Playing against Serp years ago, it always seemed like a fun club and that's what drew me in for next year."

Appleby joins the Bears after four successful seasons with Huntly in the Heathcote District league, her last in 2019.

The Hawks were regular finalists during her time, with Appleby more than capably holding down roles in the goal circle at both ends of the court, as well as the midcourt.

She started her junior career with one of the Bears' LVFNL rivals YCW (now Maiden Gully YCW) and was a member of the Eagles' A-grade premiership squad in 2012, before heading out to Eaglehawk in the BFNL for two seasons.

Appleby said her time at Huntly had been enjoyable, but it was time for a new challenge at Bears Lagoon-Serpentine as the club looked to re-establish itself in A-grade.

"They were very understanding with my basketball commitments and still happy to have me come along and play when I could. Everyone was really welcoming," she said.

"But I'm really looking forward to taking the new challenge on board and hopefully drawing in a few more players to come out with me as well.

"I hope it will be a really great year.

"With my basketball, I haven't had a full year of netball in nine years, so it would be nice to have a good crack it.

"With the people I know out at Serp, it's going to be a lot of fun.

"It would be great to have a bunch of girls that want to have a good year and get the club on track."

Appleby expects to continue playing both sports in 2022.

She was a key member of the Bendigo Braves' Country Basketball League (CBL) championship-winning team earlier this year, top-scoring with 23 points in a 73-50 win over Kyneton Tigers.

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