Netball
8 April, 2026
HDFNL 2026 preview: Reset for reigning premiers
2025 was a historic year for Rupanyup netball, with the A grade side clinching the club’s first-ever senior netball premiership. But the Panthers have had a complete makeover in the offseason, with no members of last year’s premiership team suiting up for the club in 2026.
Taking over the coaching mantle from Georgia Hiscock is previous A grade coach Kayla Weidemann, who is excited to take the reins after leading Rupanyup’s B grade side to the preliminary finals in 2025.
“I was A grade coach from 2017 to 2021, and have had a couple of years off here and there after having children.
“I played in and coached the B grade team last year, and was lucky to be runner-up in the league's best and fairest.
“With the previous A grade coach departing, they were looking for someone to step up, so it feels a bit full circle to be coaching A grade again.”
Weidemann has her eyes set on a finals pursuit, but highlighted the development of young players and team chemistry as the main goals.
“One of our goals is always to make finals netball,” she said.
“We want to be competitive and play really well as a team from the start, and getting those combinations working.
“Our main goal is to develop the young players we have throughout the year.”
On top of numerous B grade players from 2025 rising into A grade this year, the Panthers welcome in recruits such as Rhianan Woods, Jemma Nagorcka and Caitlin Kreuzberger.
As well as junior Phoebe Downer, Weidemann believes the new players will have a strong impact on the team.
“I think we’ve got a really good crop of young players, including Phoebe Downer, who played B grade last year and gets the opportunity to step up into A grade,” she said.
“We’ve also recruited some really great young players in the last couple of months.
“It’s going to be a good, young team with a mix of young juniors, older players stepping up, as well as a bunch of exciting recruits.”
Asked about how the team has looked in preseason, Weidemann acknowledged the positive environment created, particularly with the young players.
“It has been really positive vibes, which I think you get from young players coming in with a good mindset and attitude,” she said.
“It may take some time, but I’m confident with how we’re working through our game plan.”