Rockbank is looking to take the lessons learned from last year’s Riddell District Netball League season and make inroads this year.
For most in the Rams netball program, last season was their first in the RDNL, and overall the club didn’t get the results it was after.
Rams’ coach Lizzy Masterson said they had worked really hard in this pre-season to close the gap between them and the top sides.
“We’ve done a fair bit of recruitment,” she said. “I believe we have four strong teams.
“We’ve entered a local competition before Christmas and we hope to hit the ground running. All the players are playing in that competition.
“We train twice a week and a lot couldn’t train on Tuesday nights, so we made playing on Wednesday nights compulsory.”
Masterson said there was one key area they looked to address in their A-grade side, which was adding another shooter.
“The A-grade side is pretty much last year’s squad. We’ve included a strong goaler and a wing attack.
“We came into the competition without a steady goal shooter.
“Jess did a great job, but we couldn’t get the connections to work.
“We’ve now got a strong goaler like other teams. The selectors have given me four good goalers, five defenders and a few midcourters.”
The two recruits have impressed in the practice matches. Rebecca Hicks has given the Rams some more scoring power, while Olivia-Kate Burrow is smashing it in wing attack.
Ciara Elliott, who was part of the under-19 team, has stepped up as well.
Masterson said they had also added some new players to their B-grade team.
She said they were excited by the under-19 side.
Last season was the first time a Rams under-19s team made finals.
“We’ve brought in another goaler, midcourter and defender. The unders have been training well and setting high standards.”
Masterson said once the season started they were confident they would be more competitive and looking to improve on the eighth spot of last season.
“We had a practice match against Clunes and didn’t know anything about them,” she said.
“We’ve never been big scorers and we won 67-25.
“We’re looking forward to the season. Towards the end of last year, we led against Melton Centrals, before we ended up losing.
“Against Rupo we stayed with them for three quarters. We’re looking forward to playing these teams.”
The Rams are due to start their season on April 14 against Melton Centrals.
