Hoppers A Grade side consisting of Kayla Oughton, Coach Paula Mifka, Catherine Shaw, Celine Collins-Bye, Mikayla Laine, Danielle Walker, Jess Panter, Brooke Knight, Hannah Shoppee, Ally Thrumble and Brooke Bigger are gearing up for a great season with some returning faces as well some new faces coming up through the netball ranks.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
The pre-season is over and Rennie commences season 2022 this week travelling to Mathoura to take on the Timbercutters.
Off field Matt Stephens is again President, saying his aim is to just get playing sport, letting the juniors enjoy their footy, seeing how the seniors go under a new coach, and seeing families at the footy enjoying their friends and socialising.
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“On field we see Harry Haley take over as senior coach in his first stint in coaching,” Matt said.
“Harry said that he has loved every minute of pre-season at the Hoppers and can’t wait for the real stuff to start.”
The Hoppers have taken on Billabong Crows, CDHBU and Tocumwal in their preseason hitouts and welcomed new players, Charley Wallace from Bullioh, Hamish Curtis from De La Salle, Jack Cooke from Kangaroo Flat as well as Ollie Ridley, Luke Phillips, James Shaw and Ben Coghill as returning former juniors to Bull Plain Road.
“Adam Nish has taken over as Reserves coach, Jarryd Fountain is again doing the Under 17’s and Ben Lawless and Chase Strawhorn the Under 14’s,” Matt said.
“Numbers have been good for all grades at training which augurs well for the season.”
The club has a bye in round 2 then will take on Katamatite under lights on Easter Thursday.
Rennie Football Netball Club President Matt Stephens with new Seniors coach Harry Haley who are both excited for the season to begin this Saturday.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Game times are being confirmed with the under 14’s likely to start about 3.30pm with the seniors commencing around 7.25pm and the club is hoping to pull a large crowd on what will hopefully be a balmy autumn evening.
“We’d also like to pass on our congratulations to Ben Kennedy who has made the squad for the Bushies Under 16’s and we hope he does well when given an opportunity during 2022,” Matt added.
On the netball court, the return of experienced shooter and coach Paula Mifka and young gun Brylee McCarty as well as the development of 2021 junior players Hannah Shoppee, Brooke Knight and Ella Rhodes has the club very excited as well as welcoming new player Mikayla McAuliffe’s strength to support Assistant coach Brooke McDougall.
“The feeling around the club is pure excitement,” Netball President Tanya Rhodes said.
“Our juniors can’t wait to start the season and play the game we love. It’s great to see many past players return after a few years away and so many new faces joining our club that are keen and ready to go.”
Like any club Rennie survives through the great support of its sponsors with Mulwala Water Ski Club and Woods Bus Lines as Platinum sponsors as well as the great support from Yarrawonga Hotel, Kennedy Builders, Murray Valley Rural Services, STF Engineering, ClubMulwala, Lake Mulwala Bakery, Judd’s Yarrawonga and the Rennie Community Social Club.
This backed up by the club’s amazing volunteers help show that many hands make light work.
“So let the ball be bounced, the first whistle blown, the kicks and passes be to advantage, the goals plentiful, the result positive but most importantly may we all enjoy the spirit that the green and white brings and the joy to families it creates.”
