Netball: Willsher signs on as coach

After masterminding the delivery of back-to-back reserves titles at the Griffin Souwest Jets, Michelle Willsher has been signed as coach of the club’s newly formed league side.

The appointment signals a new chapter in the continued expansion of the club, which until recently was still engaged in a lengthy decision-making process as to whether it would accept an offer to field a side in WA’s top flight State Netball League.

For the past four seasons, the Jets have only fielded under 18 and reserves teams.

Assistant coach Graham Jones will coach the reserves in 2011 while Dale Nielsen has been retained as under 18s coach.

Willsher said the decision to make a re-commitment to the club was straight forward.

"It wasn’t a tough decision, it was about following through on a plan that we made years ago when we went back to a two-team club, to get the club back to the stage where we had a league team again," she said.

"It wasn’t tough, it was a matter of process."

Willsher also praised appointment of Jones and Nielsen, who she said were under no illusions of the job at hand as the club returned to the toughest netball competition in the State.

"I think it’s great to have people who understand the commitment required," Willsher said.

"We expect that of our players and committee, but it has got to be something That your coaches are also on board with."

Trials for the 2011 squads will be held at the Eaton Recreation Centre on November 27 and 28.