HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR’s A grade netball squad will fly in a new direction under new co-coaches next season, as Sarah Jacobs and Josie Barker look to help the Eagles look to hunt down a premiership in the Mininera and District Netball Association.

It was heartbreak for the team this season when the side failed to get past Penshurst in the semi-final, going down 40-39 to bring the 2022 season to a sudden halt for the Eagles, but it is a loss which will spur the side on in 2023.

“That loss really hurt and it was heartbreaking,” Barker said.

Jacobs will take the reins for next season along with Barker after recovering from a knee reconstruction that kept her out for most of last season, but a full recovery allowed her to play the last four matches of 2022.

 The new leader has great experience in coaching, starting her coaching career at Koloora-Noorat in 2009, and she will be striving to instil her knowledge to her charges.

Jacobs and Barker will bring a different style to their roles, as they look to have the squad looking to play fast attacking netball, while at the same time maintaining stiff defensive structures in defence.

They will use motivational tools and be proactive in introducing new activities to the squad to make them better than they already are.

“I think that everyone could see just how fit last season’s premier, Tatyoon, was, and we need to strive for that level of fitness if we are going to compete at the level that I know we can,” Jacobs said.

“Sarah offers the experience while I will concentrate on the skills sessions,” Barker said.

When the question of bringing new players into the club with her, Jacobs was honest in what was required.

“We are still working on recruitment, but with the travel involved for new players it takes a big commitment to come from Warrnambool and beyond,” she said.

“But saying that, it’s a hurdle that must be overcome.

“We want to create a playing group that will be role models for the rest of the club as a whole, not just the netballers.

“I want the netballers to have the same status as the footballers within the club and the greater community of Hawkesdale and Macarthur.

“I want to pay credit to the coaches who have gone before myself and Josie for the great work they have done with the squad, especially during the pandemic which was hard on all of us.

“Pre-season will begin in late November for our squad, and we are happy to have any player or players who are interested in joining the Eagles next season.

“Our squad is intact from this season, as nobody has indicated they are leaving and they are ready to get underway.”