THE Hamilton Kangaroos had their first hit-out of the pre-season on Wednesday with footballers converging at Hamilton Recreation Reserve, while the netballers gathered at Pedrina Park for the sessions.

With Melville Oval unable to be used, due to the ongoing redevelopment, new coach, Brad Thomas said it was important to get everyone together and start building on what has been achieved already.

“We will be at ‘friendlies’ the whole time, it is not ideal but it is a good opportunity to reset,” he said.

“It is really important to get together, not just the players but the supporters and everyone else, it is about developing that culture.”

The players were put through testing on Wednesday night, including a 2km time trial and agility, giving Thomas an idea of where the group’s fitness base is currently, with three sessions a week scheduled.

“We are just trying to find out where the group is at, especially with the fitness side,” he said.

“Fitness levels are big, so we will do testing tonight then another one before Christmas, so that will give us a gauge on where everyone is at.”

The club is also talking to potential recruits still, but the foundation of the 2024 team will be an evolution of this year’s side, with plenty of the young talent set to get plenty of senior opportunities once again.

Thomas said he was happy with the youngsters at the club and said it was about helping them grow and investing in them that would take the club forward.

“It is education, I know it is great to go get some recruits, but we have got the kids here,” he said.

“They don’t have the name yet, because they are learning the art and craft, but in another three or four years they will have that name value.

“I am excited about what we can shape it into.”

Netballers also got together to get their 2024 campaign rolling, with a fitness session at Pedrina Park courts.

Fresh of re-signing as Roos Open netball coach, Emma Sommerville, will be the sole coach after sharing the role with sister, Kelli Sommerville, in 2023.

“It does feel a little bit different, although we are still flowing on from what we built last season,” Sommerville said.

“Pre-season is always fitness based, it is good to see who shows up and who puts the effort in, we know once we get towards the end of the season it is the ones who put the work in that can really get the reward.

“I really want to work on our juniors, I am not aware of too many changes to the groups for next year, but we always invite anyone to come and have a crack.”

The netballers will have one session a week along with an extra one on Saturdays with the footballers.

With the Roos building after a strong season on court across the divisions, Sommerville said the early pre-season sessions were exciting to get everyone back together and build on this year’s foundations.

“It shows commitment and everything else, it is really important for us from a coaching perspective,” she said.

“I had a nice break, and I was just keen to get back into it again.”

The club’s junior trials will be before Christmas, with the senior process expected to take place in February.