TYRENDARRA has announced its 2023 A grade netball coaches with premiership player and club best and fairest Hannah Van Gemst joining the ranks alongside Rani Kane.

Van Gemst joined the club last season and cemented her spot as one of the South West District Netball League’s best shooters after crossing from the Geelong Football Netball League.

The shooter will co-coach with Rani Kane who will enter into her third year leading the club’s A grade side.

“I was keen to get involved this year after having such a great first year at the club,” she said.

“I think we have a really exciting bunch of girls across all grades and I’m definitely keen to have the chance to be a part of the great group of coaches that we have at the club.

“I’m really looking forward to coaching with Rani and I know I have some big shoes to fill since Eliza (Fitzpatrick) has decided to step down.”

While Tyrendarra’s A grade side claimed last year’s premiership against Dartmoor, they will have some changes throughout the playing group come 2023 including last year’s assistant coach and premiership defender Eliza Fitzpatrick who is heading overseas.

As a result, Van Gemst says they don’t put too much emphasis on last year.

“I don’t have any expectations for next year’s season but I am aware of other’s expectations for us next year,” she said.

“There is a small pressure, being that we were so successful last year and to try and do that again. But you never know what’s going to happen between now and April, for both Tyrendarra but also all the other A grade teams. You never know how strong other teams are going to be until you play them, and I don’t know what our team will shape up to look like either.”

The side will take little expectation into next year but Van Gemst says last year gave them some insight into what it takes to be successful.

“Our season last year was great and couldn’t have ended better for our playing group but I know each season is different from the last,” she said.

“We will definitely be building on some things we were working on last season with some of the girls who are staying on but we also know there will be some new faces to the club which will also be exciting to work on different things.

“The premiership win last year gave us some confidence that we can go all the way but that came with a lot of hard work. So, I think we will be taking that into next year, that it is possible and we know what work needs to be done to be able to hopefully achieve that again.”

The side will kick off preseason mid-January ahead of the South West District Football Netball League season beginning on April 15.

“Heading into the new year we will be focusing on just getting everyone back and around the club and having a run around after a nice Christmas break,” she said.

“I think it’s important to have those few weeks where we can get back into the swing of things, catching up with teammates from last season but also welcoming new faces to the club and to just enjoy netball.”