By Colin MacGillivray

Swifts A Grade co-coaches Kristy Dodds and Amy Kenny know that sometimes new mums need an outlet – lucky there’s netball.

The Baggies will welcome several new mothers back to their ranks in 2024, including A Grade players Michaela Carey and Erin Freeland.

It was this returning group of mothers that Dodds said had created a sense of renewed enthusiasm at Swifts ahead of next weekend’s round one clash against Kalkee.

“As a club we’re all very excited. The vibe is electric at the minute,” she said.

“In the past few years – not just in A Grade, but in all grades – we have had what I call a baby boost across the club.

“There are a few returning mothers across all the grades. It’s very family-focused and very enjoyable.

“When the players come to training, they’re keen to switch off and focus on some time for themselves.

“We hit it hard and afterwards we can enjoy going back to family life. It’s a really good mixture.”

Dodds said the return of Carey, a shooter, and Freeland at the defensive end of the court would help strengthen the Baggies, as would a trio of recruits from Navarre.

Darcy Crawford will return to Swifts after a year with the Grasshoppers, and joining her will be Lisa Monaghan and Bek Pye.

Dodds said she believed the new players would quickly endear themselves to the Baggies’ faithful.

“Lisa Monaghan will be in our midcourt and we think she’ll be one to watch,” Dodds said.

“Bek has come across as a shooter and has a bit of height behind her. 

“Darcy Crawford can play in goals as well as the midcourt area.”

Dodds, who has served as playing coach for the Baggies in the past three years, said she was excited to coach alongside Kenny, her sister, this season.

“We’re so excited. For myself, being a playing coach has its challenges, so to have Amy alongside me, it’s like we have a telepathic connection when we coach,” Dodds said.

“It’ll be fantastic to have that set of eyes and voice off the court, as well as some on court.

“We’re coaching A and B grades and at the moment we’ve been training as one squad. 

“The girls are all really focused and excited about it, too.”

Kenny said she believed the team would challenge for a finals berth after missing the top six last season.

“I guess we’re the same as all teams in that our ultimate goal is to make finals,” she said.

“We’re really just focusing on each game as they come, and we’re setting our sights on the first game against Kalkee at the minute.

“Through reading about other clubs and hearing things along the way, we know there’s been changes with other teams too, so it’s exciting to enter the season without much of an idea of what will happen.”

Coaches: 

A Grade: Kristy Dodds and Amy Kenny

B Grade:  Kristy Dodds and Amy Kenny

C Grade:  Naomi Hoffmann

C Reserve: Cass Coffey

17-and-under: Katrina Repper

15-and-under: Michael Mitchell

13-and-under: Tahlia Hoffmann and Jacqui Scott

NetSetGo: Briony Cann

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