TIGER Cynna Kydd loves being back on the court.
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The Springbank goaler was lured back under the post in her second year with the club and quickly stamped her mark on the Central Highlands Netball League.
A former Australian netball representative, Kydd was the clear A-grade best and fairest player.
Kydd arrived at Springbank last season as co-coach with her husband Garth, a former Australian men’s international netballer, and switched to playing-coach this year after the birth of her third child.
“It’s much better than being on the sidelines – I’d rather be out there leading by example,” Kydd said.
“I love (the Central Highlands league). There’s such a great atmosphere each week and the level of netball is phenomenal.”
Kydd’s season was stellar.
Playing in goal shooter and goal attack, Kydd dominated in the circle – both commanding the ball and directing her players.
Kydd tallied 30 votes, polling in 13 of 17 rounds with five best-on-court performances.
Runners-up Tillie Avery (Buninyong), Stacey Rea (Skipton) and Kelly Conroy (Springbank) polled 22 votes.
Kydd said it was fantastic for the Tigers young gun to feature so strongly in the count.
Conroy, aged 18, has quickly developed into an on-court star and Kydd said she had potential for a great netball future.
“That’s where Springbank’s good, the club keeps pushing players to reach the highest levels,” Kydd said.
Kydd knows what it takes to play netball at the highest levels.
She is a 2003 world championship player, a former Melbourne Kestrels captain and Melbourne Phoenix goaler, who won the 2004 Australian top domestic competition’s Most Valuable Player award.
Kydd retired from professional netball to England before moving to the Ballarat region.
She is now – with her husband co-coaching on the bench – preparing Springbank’s CHNL title defence.
This continues with a preliminary final in a fortnight’s time.
Bungaree’s Kelly Howard collected back-to-back B-grade best and fairest trophies.
Howard polled 25 votes (five best-on-courts) to edge out Waubra’s Eliza-Jane Clark.
Clunes defender Alysha Panozzo capped off a stellar season as clear C-grade best and fairest.
Panozzo tallied 39 votes, polling in 15 of 17 rounds including 10 best on court efforts.
Known for being light on her feet, with a love to intercept, Panozzo finished 16 votes ahead of her nearest rival.
Rokewood-Corindhap’s Deborah Milera was runner-up on 23 votes.
melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au