North Ballarat has re-signed the core of its minor premiership squad as it begins its charge for a third-straight Ballarat Football Netball League A Grade title.
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Captain Stacey Matthews has committed to another year after a successful 2021 campaign which saw her win a second Sally McLean Medal in three seasons. Joining Matthews in re-committing is sister Gina McCartin, as well as defenders Emma Church and Zoe Nevett.
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North Ballarat juniors-turned-A Grade premiership players Madison Selmon and Poppy Douglass will also stay with the Roosters for the 2022 season.
Fellow junior graduates Keely Smith, Brydi Hutchinson, Lily Pfitzner, Emma Trigg and Maggie Caris will also stay on board after breaking into the A Grade side this year.
Selmon, the 2019 Sally McLean Medallist, said she was excited to continue at the club.
"I have had some great coaches at North, including Kelly Amoore, Gina Haase, Prue Douglass and now Annie (McCartin). I have been very fortunate to be part of a great club," she said.
Douglass said she was thrilled to continue playing alongside Selmon.
"It's great being able to play with Maddy right through my career. We are great friends and enjoy each other's company on and off the court," she said.
The re-signings come at an exciting time for North Ballarat, with works on the club's new netball facilities nearing competition.
The upgrades, which will offer two new netball courts and changerooms near Northern Oval, are expected to be completed in November. Currently, North Ballarat have had to host weekly trainings for 60 senior players and nearly 100 junior players on one court.
Director of coaching Prue Douglass said the new facilities would provide a big boost for the club's development pathway.
"The club has always been invested in recruiting coaches for our junior program that provides our players the best opportunities to learn and improve their skills whilst enjoying playing netball"," she said. "The transition to the senior program and the pathway available will only be enhanced with the new facilities."
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