After a first year that exceeded expectations, Hoppers Crossing has locked in a coach with international experience for next year’s Western Netball League season.
Ephraim Ormsby joins the Warriors as coach bringing a wealth of experience with him.
He has represented New Zealand in many capacities from under-23s to open mixed.
Ormsby holds New Zealand national titles for Waikato Tainui in A and B-grade and was a part of the first ever Mystics men’s team as well as the NZ development team.
As for his coaching, he has eight years experience coaching all ages from high school level to division 1 and representative.
Ormsby said he was excited to be on board with the Warriors for next year.
“I am a dynamic and passionate netball coach with a strong commitment to athlete development,” he said on the club’s social media.
“I come from a background in both grassroots coaching and elite level playing.
“My coaching philosophy centres on discipline, hard work, adaptability, and fostering a positive team culture.”
Warriors netball coordinator Karina Campbell said it was a massive get for the club. Ormsby reached out to the club when it was advertising coaching roles and it went from there with the club thrilled someone of his experience wanted to be involved.
“We’ve very excited,” she said. “It’s great for the club to have someone with Ephraim’s experience come on board for 2026.
“Myself and [president] John [Semertzidis] met with him and with his credentials it was a nice fit for the club.”
The Warriors had two sides in their first season in the competition.
Their division 6 side made the preliminary final, only just missing out on making the grand final. The club’s other side played in division 4.
“It was a great accomplishment for them in their first season,” Campbell said.
“It did exceed all expectations and a lot of the girls have shown interest in returning for next year.”
Campbell said they were looking to have four or five sides next season and there had been a lot of interest since they put out their expression of interest on the weekend.
She said if they had the player interest along with the support of enough volunteers they would be open to having a men’s side in the inaugural competition.
Campbell said it had been really good for the club to have some female teams back involved.
“We’ve seen phenomenal growth,” she said. “The 2023 presentation night we only had close to 90 people attend.
“We outgrew the venue this year with the thirds football and two netball teams.
“There’s been the growth around the club and there’s more women’s and girls around the club also, which is great for the club.”
The club is after new players, coaches and volunteers for next season.
Details: secretary@hcfooty.com.au
