McCartin has been appointed to coach the senior BFNL team against Bendigo as [part of the AFL Victoria Community Championships on May 13.

A North City premiership coach, she was offered to job after being named the BFNL’s coach of the year last season for the second time in a row.

McCartin said it was a privilege to be given an opportunity to coach at this level.

This will be first time she has coached at this level, but McCartin has expansive experience.

She has led Ballarat Netball Association 13/under, 15/under and 17/under representative teams, and Ballarat Pride in Victorian Netball League division two.

McCartin has coached North City since 2013, leading the team to a BFNL A grade premiership in 2015.

The BFNL plans to from now on offer the senior representative coaching role to the previous season’s coach of the year.

AFL Goldfields netball manager Kim Bailey said McCartin was  one of the most experienced coaches in the BFNL and had a wealth of netball knowledge. 

Bailey is impressed by her communication with the players.

"The players want to play for her and that's what we (the BFNL) really want."

"She is the coaching doyen of our league at the moment."

Ballarat missed out on playing in the inaugural year of the community championships owing to metropolitan-based Western Region not fielding a netball team.

All members of the 2016 BFNL team of the year will be invited to join the initial training squad, if still playing in the competition.

These include: goalkeeper, Kate McLeod (East Point); goal defence, Emma Henry  (Redan); wing defence, Molly Boyle  (Lake Wendouree); centre, Prue Stanley  (Sunbury); wing attack, Lauren Atkinson  (East Point); goal attack, Lauren Jew (East Point); goal shooter, Jordyn Bibby (North City); substitutes, Stacey McCartin (North City), Gina McCartin (North City), Melanie Allen (Lake Wendouree), Emma Farrell (East Point), Kelly Moran (Ballarat).

McCartin said from there she would offer an open invitation to players from all clubs to try-outs. 

She said she believed it was important to give all players an opportunity, proving them with a challenge.

Talia Holloway-Rhoden and Georgie Campbell will co-coach the BFNL under-17 squad.

They will also lead the under-17 team for games against Townsville and Cairns in Queensland this year.