With the summer season fast approaching, the Springvale Baseball Club are pleased to announce our women’s coaches for 2014/2015. Leading the program for the first time will be Shae Lillywhite, current National Team member and 7 time Women’s Division One Premiership player. This is Shae’s first Head Coaching appointment and when quizzed about her thoughts on taking on the role, she was quick to acknowledge the depth of experience at the club.
“We are extremely lucky at Springy to have people like Simone and Mandi who have been running the program for a long time”, she said. I have no doubt they will be a big help as i learn the ropes over the course of the season. It is also great having a bunch of veteran players still involved in our program – Cat, Shevy, Kel and Jade, just to name a few. They know the game just as much as i do, so i know i will have support around me every week”.
Joining Shae will be Jessica Adkins as Seconds Coach and Deb Bryant as Thirds Coach. ‘Mini’ is one of the longest serving Big Cat players, beginning her career back in the 90’s when the girls still wore pinstripes. She has played a variety of roles over the years, in all teams, and is looking forward to being part of a new and fresh coaching staff.
“The only coach i have ever known is Mick, so it will be really strange not having him in the dugout with us this year”, said Adkins. “I am really thankful for all the years that Mick has committed to the women’s program, but i knew it was time for one of us to step up and take on the coaching role. I’m really excited for the season”.
Deb Bryant is also excited about the upcoming season, stepping up from an Assistant role the past two seasons to be Head coach in the Thirds. ‘HD’, quite like Shae and Jess, has become a big part of the Big Cats family, and is looking to learn more this season. “I don’t have a lot of coaching experience, but i know i have good, supportive people around me who will only help me and guide me along the way”.
Rounding out the women’s coaching staff will be stalwarts Mandi Avent and Simone Wearne, plus in his third year as an Assistant to the program, Daniel Webster. All three will assist the Head Coaches during the season. Please see a full list of appointments below.
The club is proud to boast three Female Head Coaches within it’s program, and is committed to continuing the development of our female members of the club – whether that be as players, coaches, support staff, administrators, scorers or umpires.
A ‘Women’s Program’ meeting will be held on Thursday 11th September @ Berwick Baseball Club, 7.30pm. We encourage all women’s players who are interested in playing this season to attend for a discussion about the upcoming season. Pre-season training will begin on Saturday 13th September – location to be confirmed.
Please contact Mandi Avent with any queries on the season, or to note your absence from the meeting – mandi.avent@bigpond.com
Women’s Coaching Appointments 2014/2015
Program Head Coach – Shae Lillywhite
Seconds Head Coach – Jessica Adkins Seconds Assistant Coach – Daniel Webster
Thirds Head Coach – Deb Bryant
List Manager & Selection Committee – Mandi Avent
Selection Committee – Simone Wearne