Hawks Netball is looking to take advantage of the time lost in 2020 and focus on their young stars in 2021. While much of their side has signed on again, young players will form a significant part of the Hawks’ line-up this season.
Taking advantage of the foundations laid before the season was cancelled last year, the Hawks are well placed to build upon this and achieve a strong result in this year’s competition.
While the Hawks have been able to retain members of their existing team, there has been a reshuffle of players across their teams. The Hawks Championship team, which placed seventh in 2019, will undergo significant changes in the way the team is structured.
Head Coach Jacqui Hansen explained that with this new team structure, the team understands they are in a transition period. With 2020 presenting unique challenges for all teams, the Hawks have taken advantage of this interrupted year by elevating some of their Division One players to their Championship team.
“We’re being realistic – in Championship we know that five of our 10 players will be playing at that level for the first time,” said Hansen.
“Our intention was for a number of them to continue to develop in Division One in 2020 before taking the next step, however with the 2020 season never going ahead the time is now for them to step up and grab that opportunity.”
Nat Billings and Tayla Shannon will return to their positions in the Championship squad, ready to provide much needed support and guidance for the new members of the squad. Daisy Hill will join the veteran pair, offering her sharpshooting ability after being promoted after a strong 2019 season.
Much of the new look Hawks side will be in the midcourt, with Kelsey Buxton and Enya Broadley joining Ally Salter and Emma Allman who will make their long-awaited debut for the Hawks. Jasmine Ferguson will round out the midcourt after making the step up from Division One.
Rounding out defence will see Clare Johnson joined with Sally Deller and Chloe Sinclair, another pair moving up to Championship level.
With such a new team, Hansen was looking to solidify and strengthen the team slowly across the pre-season to get the most out of the side.
“Most of the girls hadn’t seen a netball court for more than six months, so pre-season has been about building them up slowly and re-engaging them in a way that allows them to enjoy being back together while also ensuring they’re at the level we need them to be in the coming weeks.”
While the Hawks will enter the season in unfamiliar territory, with players making the step up to higher levels, they do represent a young team that could challenge even the most veteran teams.
The Hawks will play their opening game of the 2021 season at Oakleigh Recreation Centre against the Southern Saints on Wednesday, 21 April.
