At the end of the 2019 season, the City West Falcons walked out of the State Netball and Hockey Centre celebrating another successful year. With a track record of winning at least one division’s premiership since 2009, except for 2014 and 2017, the strength of the club and the longevity of their success continues.
Taking home the 19/U premiership is a testament to the Falcons development of their young athletes and the attention to their growth on and off the court. While the premiership side maintained a large proportion of the 2019 players, five debutants will make their way into the side, alongside young-gun Lucia Fauonuku who has made the switch from the Geelong Cougars. With a focus to maintain their impressive performance, new debutants Fionnuala McKeagney-Stubbs and Charli Nicol, who will both represent Victoria in the 17/U State team will be hoping to increase the club’s chances of a back-to-back premiership. Premiership player, Daisy O’Kane has been rewarded for her breakout year, with selection in the 19/U state team, while Elissa Hall has been elevated into the side after performing well in the Falcons scholarship program.
The Falcons have been fortunate enough to retain their 2019 Championship team with the addition of former underage Victorian player Montana Holmes who has come across from Ariels. The Championship side is home to key players within the Netball Victoria pathway, which has seen Molly Jovic gain selection as a replacement player for Kelsey Browne at Collingwood Magpies for the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball season, and Maggie Lind was selected to travel with the Collingwood Magpies for the Super Club tournament in New Zealand.
There is a strong Falcons presence amongst the Victorian Fury squad, with Jane Cook, Sarah Szczykulski and Mel Oloamanu joining Melbourne Vixens Training Partner and premiership Fury captain, Jacqui Newton at training ahead of selection. Promising youngster, Emma Walters has been rewarded for her efforts in last year’s 19/U premiership side with the opportunity to step up into the open squads, bringing her experience from the 17/U state team last year and the upcoming nationals in the 19/U side this year. Emma’s sister, Briana will be an addition to the Division One team and will be joining long-time Falcons players Toni Lind and Bess Schnioffsky with a determined spirit to crack into the top four after finishing fifth at the end of the season.
The Championship side worked hard across the first 18 rounds of the season, finishing on top before being knocked out of the finals race in the preliminary final against Casey Demons by 20 goals. Four-year Sri Lankan Falcons player, Tharjini Sivalingam will return in season 2020, injecting her star-shooting into a highly driven Championship side who will be more motivated than ever to grab a first-round win. Continuing on from their notable year, the Falcons have retained their coaching staff with the addition of scholarship coach and former men’s state player, Andrew McInnerney who will step into a Division One coaching role. Altona Netball Association coaches Hayley Cran and Maddy Bosanko will be the Falcons scholarship coaches for 2020.
Championship Assistant Coach Nicole Richardson said the Falcons are focusing on continuing their strong relationship with Altona Netball Association.
“We are playing two home games at Altona in 2020 and will also provide coaching opportunities in Altona,” Richardson said.
“We really want to build on our existing relationship and take one step further in developing both the players and coaches in the association.”
The Falcons will be back at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday 25 March to tackle Melbourne University Lightning in round 1.
