Tara Murray
The Falcons netball program in Melbourne’s west is growing.
The Altona Falcons have entered sides in both the premier men’s and premier mixed competition’s in the M-League.
The new Falcons are affiliated with the successful City West Falcons’ Victorian Netball League club.
Josh Smith, a coach at the City West Falcons, is playing in both the Altona Falcons sides.
He said they were keen to give more netballers in Melbourne’s west an opportunity to play at high levels.
“A few players were having a chat during the VNL season,” he said. “Alexia McConnell, who is the Victorian men’s reserves coach, and I coach the [City West] Falcons division 1 side with Marg Lind.
“We thought this would be a really good opportunity and there was plenty of interest there for both sides.
“We’re excited about what the west can produce.”
Many of the players in both sides have been connected to the City West Falcons in either playing or coaching.
One player Brodie Roberts, who is over in New Zealand with the Australian team, came through the pathways with Marg Lind in Williamstown.
Smith is part of the Falcons coaching panel and has played for Victoria.
Some of the City West Falcons stars are part of the mixed team. Championship stars Montana Holmes, Maddy Gray, Maggie Lind and Uneeq Palavi, along with Sophie Hanrahan, Maddison Mckiernan and Nyibol Akec.
Smith said it was a good opportunity for the girls to improve their games.
“The men’s game is more aerial,” he said. “They can look at different things and the women’s game is becoming more aerial.so it’s good to practice.”
It’s not the first time the Falcons have been in the M-League with a City West Falcons named side winning the mixed title in 2017.
The Falcons’ men’s side opened their account on Wednesday night in round two, beating St Therese’s 55-42, while the Falcons mixed lost to Valley Wolves, 56-51.
Smith said they were hoping that in the future that men’s and mixed sides would be incorporated in the VNL competition, to provide more connections with the pathway programs.
