By Tara Murray
North Footscray has turned its program around in the Western Netball League.
After struggling to have enough numbers to get one side on the court each week last year, the Devils are now fielding three sides this season.
Netball coordinator Nikki Genio said there had been a lot of hard work put in during the off season to get the side to where it is now.
“It’s been a bit of a rebuild,” she said. “We were hopeful of getting three teams on the court, we had not had that for a long time.
“The girls are only just starting to find their feet.”
Genio said they had 30 new players come into the club this season and they were learning to come together as teams as the season starts to progress.
She said new coach Ashley Trantor, who crossed from Braybrook, had played a big role in that.
“We had a new head coach come across and a lot of people followed them,” she said. “They have a great reputation and players come from all over wanting to play under them.
“It’s amazing for us, we have been able to get three teams.
“We had three teams a couple of years ago and things didn’t pan out and we lost a lot of girls.
“We’ve built the program back up from scratch.”
The Devils have teams in division 1, division 4 and division 7 following grading.
Genio said they had kept their aims simple this year as they focus on ensuring they have a stable program in the long term.
“We just want the girls to enjoy themselves and have a ball, that is the main thing,” she said.
“It’s a bit of a bonus if we get any wins. It we were to make finals tat would be amazing.
“We have three solid teams and extra girls. We want to build and get girls here and enjoying themselves.
“We know wins will come.”
It’s a big year for the club overall as it celebrates its 90th anniversary and there will be a big celebration later this year.
Like the netball program, the football program is now thriving after struggling 12 months ago.
“We’re going from strength to strength in football and netball,” Genio said. “Twelve months ago we were in trouble.
“People are giving us a chance and taking a risk and it’s paying off.”
