By Justin Flynn
NEW Ocean Grove netball coach Elyse Howard is eyeing a return to finals for the A Grade team next season.
Howard, 26, crossed from St Mary’s last season, but only played during the second half of 2016 due to injury.
Howard has extensive experience as vice-captain at St Mary’s and as captain at Colac Imperials where she played in two premierships. She began playing senior netball at the age of 14.
“The major goal is to make finals,” she said.
“Hopefully we can get a position higher on the ladder and win a few more games.”
Howard has been impressed with the club’s youth coming through and she plans to nurture them into being key senior netballers.
“There’s some really good young players down at the club and they all really want to learn,” she said.
“I want the football/netball club to be a place where the whole town feels like they can come and be a part of, not just every now and then.”
So far Howard has enjoyed her time at the Grubbers.
“It’s been good – they’re a friendly bunch of girls and have been nice and welcoming,” she said.
