ACU Sovereigns are set to have some new faces at VNL championship level next season.
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While the squads are still being finalised, the Sovereigns confirmed that young guns Sacha McDonald and best and fairest winner Casey Adamson will not be returning for the 2018 season.
The talented pair will ply their trade at opposing Victorian Netball League clubs, McDonald heading to Peninsula Waves while Adamson is set for Boroondara Express. The exits see Sovereigns lose one of its best goal shooters and its main mid-courter, however, it is hopeful Ash Ryan and Rene Caris will recommit – remaining spots will continue to be finalised after the last trial day.
“We’ll be looking to re-build on that team,” Championship side assistant coach Kim Bailey said.
“I think the nucleus will be there, we’ll just add another couple of girls to it.”
The championship side will also be under new mentorship as Eloise Southby takes the reins as head coach.
Southby will make final recommendations on the team once her Australian Netball League commitments come to a close, which will shed further light on the final make-up of the Sovereigns championship outfit.
In last week’s first two trials there was strong numbers at both, with around 45 taking part in the first session, then 60 in the second.
VNL hopefuls play in a round-robin format of match simulation, all looking to catch the eye of the Sovereigns coaching staff.
In more positive news, Bailey said the majority of the division one team had signed on for next season while the 19/under bracket was well-represented at the trials, which should provide a strong Sovereigns outfit for next season.
“There’s some great girls coming through the younger ranks, I think they’ll have lots of kids to pick from and have quite a strong team.”
The Sovereigns championship side won just three matches last season while the 19/unders managed just one win as the division one side proved the most fruitful, notching up a finals berth. The championship side exposed a number of youngsters to the VNL, which will hopefully hold the group in good stead, but it will want to ensure there is enough experience on board.