2023 Preview - Melton Centrals A Grade Netball
Randy Pereira is back for another season with Melton Centrals and he hopes his young side can improve on what was a competitive 2022.
Here is how their team is shaping up:
What are you most looking forward to about the 2023 RDFNL season?
Like all teams I suppose we’re looking forward to improving on 2022. Especially with such a young team, our A grade still has 5 teenagers, 1 who is 21 and 2 late in their mid to late 20’s and only one player above 30.
How is your team looking?
Like I said in my opening statement it’s young through all grades, but I have confidence we will improve again from 2021 and 2022.
Who are the new recruits to the club you are excited to see in action?
We have new recruits throughout all 4 teams. There’s 8 new players joining us this year.
Who forms part of the coaching staff/group in 2023?
The coaching panel is myself, Doug Mitchell and our most important cog Sue Phillips our netball coordinator who we relied on so much, especially with the new registering system’s etc.
Who are the young up and coming juniors who have caught your eye?
We have a few juniors playing 19’s and in higher grades who over the next year or so will push for A or B grade positions. As well as the young current teenage A graders. Just to name a few, Mariah, Avana, Romina, Giselle, Atiana, Chelsea and Zariah.
What improvements do you think your team will be making in 2023?
The improvement we’re looking for is to improve our winning percentage in 2021 we won 2 games, not counting byes, 2022 we won 4 games not counting byes and also won a lot of quarters against teams that made finals, so I suppose the biggest improvement we’re looking for is consistency within games.
What do you think of the 2023 RDFNL competition?
The RDFNL in my opinion is very underrated, having coached in the Ballarat league for 5 years prior to crossing over to the Riddell league in 2009 the only difference is the depth of the league, the top 6 teams are as good as any in other leagues.
Who do you think will be the team to beat in 2023?
Sometimes the difference in the top teams is ability, but I think the differences is belief, the reason I say that is because against every team last season we either won or drew 2 quarters in each game. But yes you need to have some talent to do that, and I believe we have the talent, it’s just raw, and it’s inexperienced as I refuse to use VNL players, while it can be a detriment, I see it as giving the young players within our club the chance to showcase what they have, they don’t get that opportunity if I use VNL players.
What are your expectations or goals for the 2023 season?
The expectations is improvement in all facets of our game in all our grades.