Tassie Spirit Latest – Round 1

The Tassie Spirit kick of their 2014 Australian Netball League campaign at home when they host Canberra Darters and Southern Force (South Australia) in their opening two matched of the season at the Silverdome, Launceston. Queensland Fusion will also be making the trip across. 

Tassie Spirit coming off an 8th place finish (of 11) in 2014 will be looking to continue to build on positive results in the 2013 season. They will be confident of a result against Canberra Darters (11th in 2013) after finishing higher on the 2013 ANL ladder. They face a tough test against top four side from 2013 in Southern Force who are also the 2012 Champions. The Force also feature Adelaide Thunderbirds and ANZ Championships players Cody Lange and Samantha Poolman amongst a talented squad. 

The Spirit has assembled their strongest squad in recent years and are confident in having their most successful campaign to date. For the first time the squad will be made up of entirely Tasmanian players with the selectors confident in the quality and depth of the players available. Only Steffi Grenda (Northern Hawks) and Kelsey Rainbow (Cavaliers) are missing through injury from a full strength team. Coach Jon Fletcher is confident in the sides capabilities. 

“The players we have selected have the quality to match it with the strong opposition they will be facing” Fletcher said 

“It will be a challenge but we are confident that the players have the ability and we look forward to some solid results” 

Maddie Carter, Sophie Gunn and Ebony Roberts all Tasmanian State underage players return to the Spirit after successful stints in the Victorian Netball League and will be a welcome addition to the players assembled from ANZ State Netball League sides throughout the state. 

Tassie Spirit has appointed highly experienced and qualified Jon Fletcher as Head Coach for 2014. Jon has a lot of experience with the current group having worked with them in his coaching capacity with the Spirit in recent years as well as in his role as Tasmanian High Performance Coach in past years. Andrew Jackson coach of Grand Finalist Lexus Arrows is once again appointed as Assistant Coach a role he has filled with distinction in recent year. Newly appointed State High Performance Manager Julie Hoornweg will join the team as a Technical Director and will bring with her a wealth of experience having coached at ANZ Championship and International level twice being awarded Australian Coach of the Year during her time with the Melbourne Vixens (2005 and 2009)