COACHES are sometimes underestimated for their ability to impact not only their player’s skills, but their lives.
But the Lake Boga Football Netball Club is fully aware of the incredible impression that Anne-Marie Stewart has made in her first season as A Grade coach, leading her team into their first grand final appearance in 21 years.
While Stewart has been around the club due to her boys playing football, she put netball aside for her family, not playing or coaching for the past 20 years.
Lake Boga netball president Sheridan Harrop said after Anna Archie stepped down as coach at the end of last season, Stewart’s name was on the club’s radar.
“It wasn’t as easy task to get her on board, as she had been out of the game for over 20 years, so it did take a little bit to convince her to come back into a coaching role and commit her time,” she said.
“It was a massive ask, but it was one that we were determined to get on board for the team – these girls are a strong group of friends on and off the court and you want to reward their development and their commitment, and Annie was the best fit for us.
“The playing group wanted to take it to the next level and go that little bit extra after last year, and that’s where we felt that Annie would have it for these girls, and they’ve complemented each other quite well.”
The Magpies went into this season still carrying the weight of losing in overtime to Balranald in last year’s preliminary final, and have been determined to take the next step.
“It’s a massive achievement for our club to reach the grand final,” Harrop said.
“It’s the pinnacle that we’ve been working for all season and as coaches and co-ordinators, it’s the big lead up to what you’ve been working for, you want your team to shine at the end of the season, at the grand final.
“That black and white pride is there, we’ve got that support behind us, and it’s a reward for these girls that have worked all year to reach this stage.
“It’s just rewarding to see that it’s actually working.”
Stewart’s accolades and experience speak for themselves, having previously coach both Swan Hill and Woorinen to premierships, along with a representative coaching history that includes junior and senior interleague and regional teams.
“She’s a wealth of knowledge first and foremost,” Harrop said.
“One thing that Annie can do is analyse a game behind the scenes and understand what needs to occur.
“It’s a different style of coaching in that it’s old school coaching, but sometimes we need that little bit of a flavour in there to bring us back down and figure out what it is that we need to do to take that next step. Annie comes from an outside view and sees the game differently, but that’s what they wanted, they wanted someone that would take them to the next level.”
Stewart has also provided the junior grades with specialised coaching sessions throughout the year to develop their skills as the next generation of netballers for the club.
“The kids just absolutely love her, and she has a knack of being able to explain it in a way that they will actually understand,” Harrop said.
“It’s been great to have those young generations looking up and going, well this where these skills can develop through to – they can see it at all different levels.”
A woman of few words herself, Stewart has a great deal of respect for the team, and is feeling calm and collected heading into their biggest game of the year tomorrow.
“They’re a lovely group to coach, they are hungry to learn and soak everything in, and that’s all you can ask for as a coach,” she said.
