“To finish minor premiers is no small feat. We gave set goals, trained hard for months, made many sacrifices and reflected honestly weekly after games to ensure we got the best results from ourselves.”
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
That’s what Corowa netball A and B Grades coach Georgie Bruce said after the remainder of Ovens and Murray Football Netball League was cancelled last Thursday due to Covid-19, thereby not proceeding with any finals.
Georgie said without a doubt Corowa Rutherglen has had another wonderful season “especially given the circumstances”.
“In a shortened season and a top 5 final we would have seen three out of the four netball teams play off in the finals series; a first for our junior players (17&U side) since this grade was introduced into the league. We have all had to be so versatile and resilient, and for that alone I am proud,” she said.
Georgie told The Free Press she feels gutted. “It is such a hollow feeling to not finish the season in a traditional fashion,” she said.
“To not know for sure how the dice would have rolled for us on another season is, to put bluntly, tiring. All the effort, all the hype, all the sacrifices and hard work for no final show. In saying that, the league hung on as long as reasonable to try offer us all that opportunity and for that we are grateful.”
For any top of the ladder team to be crowned minor premiers as a reward and recognition for all the hard work, attention to detail, winning goal margins and wins on the board those teams have achieved is pleasing to Georgie.
“At the end of this season, those teams, whether it was our A or B grade or Albury’s footy grades, were on top for a reason, so to recognise that is humbling in what has been a muddled season,” she reasoned.
Over recent years CRFNC has worked tirelessly to sell its brand and attract like-minded people/players.
“As a result, we have started to gain momentum, we have expanded the depth at our club and this year I had the tough decision to play some A grade skilled players in my B grade side because there just simply are not enough positions available for everyone,” Georgie said.
“But in true club form, these girls didn’t mind which team they played in, they were just happy to be representing the blue and white. So going into the finals, we had depth across the grades giving us many competent combinations.”
In her sixth season coaching the A grade and third simultaneously coaching A and B Grades, Georgie said she still finds questioning herself how she became “so lucky to have this position”.
“I’m truly humbled to have worked with incredible players regardless of grade. I coach, in part, all grades as the head coach and I have learnt as much from them, if not more, as they have me. They have all trusted me, let me into their personal lives and we have built special long-lasting relationships. I’ve been invited to birthday milestones, spoke at twenty-firsts, witnessed players graduate from school or university and supported them through all of life’s highs and lows.”
Georgie said she is so proud to be a part of CRFNC and be seen by some as a person who imprinted some sort of netball legacy. “But I am only one person,” she said. “Great clubs are exactly that because of the people they attract whether it is players, supporters, sponsors, board members and volunteers. All parts of the foundation need to be present for success and with strong leadership, the Roos are navigating their way back towards overall club success.
“I have had overwhelming support from the whole community. This is so humbling. The board are a great team devoted to making our club the best they can and are great people to work with. Seniors coach Peter German is a ‘one of a kind’ type of person who lives and breathes sport and has given the netball fraternity unwavering support which is refreshing.
“The players are the ones who continually give me energy to keep driving the train forward. As team mates or as coaches, we hold each player with great value and respect.”
Special thanks was expressed by Georgie for the ongoing support of a great friend in Richie Mallows. “He is a wealth of knowledge and has worked quietly behind the scenes supporting, and in some instances, directing me.
“Together we have taken a holistic approach providing mental health, nutrition, training programs and recovery tactics to put us in the best position to be successful. As a club we are so lucky to have such a talented sports scientist at our dispersal, a guy who is genuine in his approach who has gone out of his way to develop professional relationships with each player. I am so grateful for his influence.
“Finally, I am so lucky to have four gorgeous kids who are very understanding and my number one fans - they actually think I’m famous - and devoted parents who have always made themselves available to support me whether as a player or in my personal coaching endeavours.”
Good news during the Covid-related lockdowns was that the highly respected and popular coach got back onto the netball court for in the club’s last game, against Wang Rovers following the healing of her achilles/aponeurosis.
“I was lucky to squeeze in the procedure in between lockdowns and I was grateful for that opportunity,” she said.
Having a break and spending more time with her children is now on Georgie’s agenda. “The season rolls around very quickly with CADNA and 17s trials starting in late October; it’s not a lot of time off to rejuvenate. At this stage I’m not locking too many netball plans in place.”Next season Georgie? “The minute the season was cancelled the girls rallied together and have a burning desire to finish what they set out to obtain,” she said.
“They are a determined bunch and they definitely feel like there is still unfinished business to be dealt with.
“I’m hoping the majority of the players will stay on, but like any year, life gets in the way. Kids finish school, get a job, move away, go to university or put their efforts towards other goals. This is all normal and we support all our players in their life endeavours.
“Our 17s team this year was exciting. We had a glimpse of our first finals appearance and the opportunity to offer a number of these players the opportunity to step up into the senior grounds. It is exciting to see such strong representation with the team comprising 14 to 17-year-olds, some of whom will represent in the senior grades next season.”
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to coach an A grade side like Corowa in the O and M. They honestly are my second family.”
Journalist