Kelsey’s return boosts Grove

Kelsey Ollis will return to Ocean Grove next netball season.

Popular netballer Kelsey Ollis said a desire to return home and be part of Ocean Grove’s continued rise was an opportunity she could not refuse for 2020.

Ollis, 23, who played one season with Geelong Football Netball League club South Barwon this year, arrives home in familiar surrounds at Shell Road next season.

The star defender was crowned Bellarine Football Netball League’s A Grade best and fairest winner in 2018.

Ollis, who is studying physiotherapy, confirmed she would spend more time on the Bellarine next year.

“With my new studies in 2020, I am not going to be in Melbourne as much and the decision to come home and I will be living with mum and dad and I missed everyone at the club,” Ollis told the Voice.

“I think it was the right decision to come back and hopefully do well in finals with Ocean Grove.

“I missed my time at Ocean Grove and it was the right timing to come back.”

Ocean Grove improved its A Grade ladder position in 2019 where it finished third after 18 rounds and played two finals, compared with its fifth place in 2018.

Ollis was back at training for Ocean Grove’s first pre-season training session on 21 November.

THE news of Ollis’ return came after Nikki Cooke was appointed as Ocean Grove’s new senior netball coach in November.

IN other Ocean Grove Football Netball Club developments, star midfielder Luke Cartelli will join Essendon District Football League club Keilor, which won the EDFL premier division flag in 2019, next year after he spent two seasons with the Grubbers.

Cartelli won Ocean Grove’s senior best and fairest honours in 2018.