NETBALL INTERLEAGUE COACHES CONFIRMED

By Matt Fotia

The AFL Outer East Netball Interleague Coaches are sorted for season 2020, with a strong quartet of Head Coaches being chosen to represent the league this year.

Reigning Association Champions, the AFL Outer East Under 15’s, will be led by Cranbourne A Grade Coach Donna Wilson.

Fresh off leading the Eagles to consecutive A Grade Grand Finals in the SEFNL and Outer East respectively, Wilson will add this role to her extensive career as a Netball coach.

She is currently part of the Peninsula Waves PENS Development Program, a program which helps junior netballers transition into the VNL Program along with her role at Cranbourne.

Speaking about Wilson’s appointment AFL Outer East Netball Development Manager Greg Heinrich was bullish about what she brings to the role.

“We are excited to have Donna on board as coach, and know she will provide great opportunities for all of our athletes to further develop through the Netball Victoria Pathway.”

The Under 13 side will once again under the tutelage of Carol Gregorovich, after a strong showing in the 2019 Association Championships.

Gregorovich will be joined by Jemma Osborne, who was a member of the AFL Outer East Under 23 side last year, in an assistant coaching role.

In another coup for the AFL Outer East Junior Interleague program, Upwey-Tecoma A Grade Coach David O’Hare will steer the Under 17 ship in 2020.

O’Hare has been involved in the VNL for a number of years with the Ariels and is the current coach of the Victorian Open Mixed Reserve team, which is set to compete in the National Championships in Adelaide this year.

Meanwhile, former Melbourne Phoenix (now Vixens) assistant coach and Victorian Under 17 and Under 19 coach Christina Puopolo will lead the Outer East Open side in 2020.

Puopolo, who has a long history working with a number of state league sides, including Vic Churches, Ariels and Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels, is also the current A Grade Coach of the Monbulk Football Netball Club and the Victorian Mens Open Coach.

Her time leading the Victorian Mens side has been a successful one, with Puopolo’s side winning five National Championships since she began the role in 2010.

Puopolo is also the current Australian Mens Sonix Coach, and led Australia to a clean sweep in the 2018 Trans Tasman Series.

Speaking about all of the appointments, Mr Heinrich said the Outer East were happy with the selections and are looking forward to another successful representative campaign.

“The selection committee are very pleased with the level of coaching we are going to be able to provide to our netballers in 2020 and are looking forward to yet another strong year for the AFL Outer East on court.”