Netball
24 September, 2024
Eagles U17 netballers and footballers named teams of the year
The Warrack Eagles 17-and-under netball team and under-17s football team were awarded the Blue Ribbon Spirit of Netball and Football Teams of the Year. Their respective coaches, Jess Erhardt and Kyle George, were named coaches of the year. Horsham Saints Maddison Bethune and Nhill's Jobe Dickinson were awarded the Players of the Year.
Eagles netball director Brooke Holland couldn't be happier.
"The girls well and truly deserve it, and, unfortunately, Jess couldn't be here as she is in Geelong having just given birth," Holland said.
"Jess and the girls are a fantastic bunch of girls and will go far in netball.
"They played in a grand final last year and with a new side this year, came together under their new coach and gave it their all, and even though they got knocked out in the preliminary finals, they are superstars on and off the court, and I am very proud of them."
Eagles Secretary Jules Phelan said it's an amazing accomplishment for the club.
"Jess has good knowledge and expertise and is an A-grade player, having previously played down in Geelong before coming here," Phelan said.
"Jess has patience and compassion, and she is unbelievable. The girls are lucky to have someone who can guide them and prepare them for their next step in life.
"The footballers as well are lucky to have someone like Kyle George. He has been fantastic."
"He has so much knowledge and skill to teach these kids, and he has been a fantastic footballer himself and has been coached by good people and coached in senior roles, and his experience is unbelievable."
"We are so lucky to have someone like Kyle that can step in and getting them ready for senior football."
Phelan said it's a fantastic accomplishment for the club and shows they are on the right track.
"It's amazing. I couldn't be prouder of these coaches and under-17s teams," Phelan said.
"It shows the hard work that has gone into the teams by the coaches and how respected they are by everyone around the league, by teams, umpires, and taking both out is amazing.
"It's all about respect and how they treat their opposition and also about sportsmanship, and it's fantastic to know our grassroots teams have that instilled in them already, which makes the pathway to senior football a very positive one."