The Peel Lightning Netball Club will be hoping to uncover some hidden gems when they host their first player trials this weekend.
Held at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC), the trials will give newly-appointed coaches Naomi Pannell and Tracey Boreham their first glimpses at potential talent for the club's inaugural West Australian Netball League season.
More than 80 netball players eager to show they belong in the state-level competition have already registered to be part of the workouts, with the Lightning looking to take their first steps towards creating their inaugural squad.
"[The trials are] exciting because they're going to be our first serious moves forward towards forming a team," opens (league) coach Pannell said.
"It's a small milestone but it's just really nice to get the ball rolling."
The tryouts will be a mix of local and statewide talent, with players from as far out as the wheatbelt hoping to get a look in.
Pannell was excited at the prospect of a diverse mix of talent.
"We're rapt with the amount of people we've had sign up," she said.
"We knew we'd get our share of locals but it's particularly exciting to have so many fresh faces registered to try out.
"Hopefully those players we don't know can show us plenty of talent and we can find some real gems."
The Lightning will begin contracting players in the months following the trials, with pre-season training to officially commence in early March.
Behind the scenes the Lightning has been taking steady steps as they form the basis of their club, starting with the hiring of Pannell and under 20s coach Boreham back in September.
Club president Deb Clancy said the appointments were an exciting move for the new franchise.
"To have our inaugural coaches signed up is excellent, and we couldn't be more happy with the appointments," she said.
"Both Naomi and Tracey bring a wealth of netball experience to the program and being a new club that's invaluable."
Hannah Irving was also announced as the under 20s assistant coach, while the Lightning also had their official playing kits approved last month.
"Right now it's just a really exciting and active time for the club," Clancy said.
"We're really looking forward to seeing how these trials go."
The trials kick off at the MARC this Saturday, with the under 20s spanning from 9-11am and the opens following from 11am-1pm.
Any business or individual interested in supporting the Lightning can call Geoff Hiller on 9537 5400.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
