I was selected in Mel’s team when I was thinking that it was my last year of playing competitive.

At that stage I hadn’t made any Queensland representative teams and I had lost a lot of faith in the trialling process.

I remember my first training session with Mel.  It was unlike any training I had ever been to before and I came away exhausted and wondering if I would be good/fit enough to endure the year.  That first year was tough but it was absolutely worth it.  Not only because of the improvement I made in my netball ability but also because of the friendships that were created by being apart of that team. 

That year and every year that I played in Mel’s team I made life long friendships.  I enjoyed going to each training session because it meant that I got to spend time with friends doing something I loved.  Mel not only encouraged this camaraderie and friendship between the girls but was apart of it.  While she was undoubtedly respected as a coach (and for all that she had achieved in her own netball career), she was also very much counted as a friend.

Since being coached by Mel I have played at Tier 1 level for over 6 years and represented Queensland twice at the aged Nationals.  While I am proud of these achievements, I believe the greatest gain from my time being coached by Mel was the friendships I formed.

Being in Mel’s team completely changed my outlook on netball.  Each training session I knew that I would come away knowing that I had worked my hardest, learnt as much as I could and most of all had a great time with a bunch of amazing friends. 

Stephanie McConochie

Queensland Under 21’s

Queensland Open Mixed

Wildcats Tier One

Lions Tier One