Arguably the biggest news to have come out in local circles since the resumption of season preparations, though, is that of a departure from our realm.
For consecutive seasons, Teal Hocking has loomed as one of the Goulburn Valley League’s premier threats under the ring, even though Rochester hasn’t always made deep finals runs in her tenure.
Now the Bendigo Strikers and Victorian under-19 representative has packed up and headed west — well, further so at least — in joining up with Kangaroo Flat in the Bendigo competition.
It’s the kind of departure which would leave virtually any outfit scrambling for a suitable replacement, but Rochester will have some mountains to climb if September is the goal after finishing ninth last time out with a 6-12 record.
Meanwhile, experienced finals side Seymour has locked and loaded its A-grade squad with a nine-strong roster named by the club last week.
The major change, of course, is the installation of one-time Collingwood Super Netball star Casey Adamson as coach in 2025, although outgoing boss Ellie Fuhrmeister remains on board in a playing capacity.
Adamson, who maintains a presence with Boroondara Express in the Victorian Netball League alongside teammate Ally Black, expressed her optimism for the season ahead in a statement.
“We’ve got a great squad once again this season and we’re all eager for round one to come around,” Adamson said.
“Last year was a bit disappointing, going out in an elimination final and I know the girls are eager to push deeper into finals this year.
“I’m excited to step up into the head coach role and think I’ve got plenty to give to our entire netball department, from A-grade down to under-15s.
“Ellie Fuhrmeister has done a fantastic job over the past few seasons and it’s all about building on her work and seeing how far we can go this year.”
There have been some key appointments across the rest of the netballing district as sides in other competitions get set to jostle for spots.
Not for the first time, Steph Hammond has been named as the new A-grade coach at Mulwala, boasting an extraordinary resume at the club.
The life member and 10-time Lions best-and-fairest takes the reins as her side seeks to bridge the three-game gap that separated it from a finals appearance in 2024.
Mulwala will be out to catch September-bound sides from last season the likes of Deniliquin, which has also installed a new face with Corinne Mitsch taking charge.
Mitsch has a long-standing history of coaching at primarily junior level with the contending Rams and makes her first jump up to a senior appointment.
In Kyabram District League, Avenel has made a move to try and push its even win-loss ledger into the positives by confirming Georgia Velt, also a 2021 best-and-fairest at the Swans, as its 2025 A-grade leader.
