The Ararat Rats have announced Jess Williamson and Lauren Armstrong as their A Grade netball coaches ahead of the 2017 Wimmera Netball Association season.
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The club announced a near-full senior and junior coaching line-up for this season, with B Grade the only empty position left.
Armstrong has moved to the club from Moyston-Willaura and will share the A Grade coaching duties with Williamson.
Williamson said it is the first time the pair will have coached a team together.
“I have captained quite a few teams now and was ready to take the challenge on as coach,” she said.
“Lauren is a personal trainer, she has a lot of ideas to bring to the training sessions.
“It should be a self-taught team at this level.”
Williamson won the club’s A Grade best and fairest award for the 2016 season.
She said she looks forward to sharing her knowledge with the team.
“Because we have had quite a bit of success, we know how it was played during that success, so we will use some of that this year,” she said.
Former Ararat netballer Tahnee Walker, and Breeanne Fratin will be in charge of the C Grade team while the B Grade coach is still to be confirmed.
Rebecca Skrabl will once again coach the 17 and under team with help from former A Grade coach Brady.
Donna Spalding will take on the 15 and under coaching role, while Celine Joyce has joined the club and will coach the 13 and under team.
Rats netball director Brendan Scott said it was good to see other people stepping up to take on the coaching roles.
"We are very happy with all the appointments,” he said.
“All the coaches will work together and look to build on the 2016 season results.”
The appointment process for the coaches took place over the past month with the club advertising the positions prior to Christmas.
Scott said he is hoping that the teams will continue their development this year.
"Last year there was an injection of juniors into our senior teams, so I am hoping it continues this year,” he said.
“The 15 and under age group is a really important level in the development of junior netballers and I am really pleased to have Donna as the coach.
"Celine Joyce is new to the club, and has come across from Tatyoon where she coached there during the last couple of years.
“I like forward to having her join the ranks here at the Rats.”
The senior teams started their preseason training with a group fitness session on Thursday. Scott said junior tryouts were scheduled for February 2 at Alexandra Oval.