THE Hamilton Kangaroos are closing in on its Hampden Football Netball League season opener, with some new faces among the Open netball team for 2023.

Emma and Kellie Sommerville are sharing the coaching role this year and Emma said it has been exciting to get the group together and see them develop and work on some new things.

“It has been good, we have got a bit of a different team, so we are working on a lot together,” she said.

“Pre-season overall has been great, in terms of the open side we have been working hard on bringing everyone up to speed on some new structures and other things.

“We got about six weeks in before Christmas, which gave us a good base to build on.”

With no injury concerns in the squad, the group is fit and ready for this weekend’s season opener against North Warrnambool Eagles, a game which will see Danielle Vankalken and Fleur McLachlan take to the court for the blue and white.

“Danielle will be in goals and Fleur will be in the wing attack/centre role, we have quite a few strengths with our players and where they can play,” Sommerville said.

“Madsie Phillips is finished up with her juniors now, so it has been really good to have her around the group and I have worked with her a lot in defence, watching her grow in the last few weeks has been exciting.”

Phillips will be joined by Ella Sevior and Molly O’Brien, as younger players pushing up the ranks, while Kelsey Lewis, Kyra McKinnis and Indi Ryan have been named in the Division 1 squad for 2023.

Sommerville said it was good to get some new faces into the mix, combined with integrating some new structures and combinations on the court.

“It is a little bit of a changing of the guard, bringing in some fresh faces, and I think it is a really good change for the club,” she said.

“I would say we have changed quite a bit, it is not something we can do overnight.

“We are still working on a lot, but just don’t have the time to implement everything we can.

“We are not putting too much pressure on the team, we know it is going to be a lot of building and we are asking a lot of the players in terms of the strategy we are implementing.”

Hayley Sherlock will lead the Open team as captain and will assist the Sommerville sisters at different times during the season with ideas.

“Hayley has really stepped up into the leadership role, it was a very obvious choice when we contemplated who would be captain,” Sommerville said.

Kangaroos 2023 squads

Open: Emma Sommerville, Kellie Sommerville, Danielle van Kalken, Hayley Sherlock, Clare Crawford, Madsie Phillips, Ella Sevior, Fleur McLachlan, Leesa Iredell, Molly O'Brien.

Division 1: Kelsey Lewis, Stephanie Holcombe, Tahlia Ross, Rhianne Lewis, Amanda Douglas, Michayla McRae, Kyra McKinnis, Indianna Ryan, Jessica Crane, Grace Cleaver.

Division 2: Bec Sherlock, Tamara Milne, Sophie Robinson, Brooke Gordon, Bailey Ryan, Taylah Casey, Caitlin Urquhart, Maddie Rhook, Debbie Pither.

Division 3: Sharney Millard, Ellen Casey, Jo McKew, Belinda Carroll, Sharnah Malseed, Ellorah McConarchy, Mimi Chun, Holly Rook, Saskia Gould, Tessa Kelly.

17-and-Under: Ella Sevior, Ellorah McConarchy, Molly O'Brien, Grace Cleaver, Pheobe Dunn, Mimi Chun, Tessa Kelly, Bella Chow, Bridget Mailes.

15-and-Under: Saskia Gould, Holly Rook, Skye Kissel, Ruby Cleaver, Isabella Malseed, Lily Raymond, Scarlett Hintum, Olivia Hardy, Ella Ractliffe.

13-and-Under: Maddox Ryan, Elsie Brown, Georgia Taylor, Shannon Mhasho, Molly Sevior, Abbey Sevior, Olivia Munro, Ruby Spong, Lucy Jennings.

13-and-Under Reserves: Tyler Tuckey, Maya Carroll, Jane Cunningham, Bridget Sherlock, Evie Milne, Willow Colliton, Pippa Raymond, Pippa Brennan.

Development: Kerrilee Barker, Hannah Carroll, Indi Ewing, Willow Manson, Leni Robertson, Olivia Baulch, Evie Templeton, Gerogia Brown, Taya Sherlock, Imogen Penny, Zara Burgmark.