Rachel Southam coaching her under 15s Zodiac Netball Club team on the weekend.
Camera IconRachel Southam coaching her under 15s Zodiac Netball Club team on the weekend. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Netball: Armadale player/coach shows the way forward for other young players

Jessica WarrinerComment News

ARMADALE’S Rachel Southam is leading the way for young netballers.

The 19-year-old player and coach started with the sport when she was five, and increased her coaching roles while recovering from a knee reconstruction in 2015.

“Throughout my year off of playing, I enjoyed coaching so much I knew I wanted to keep doing it in the future,” Ms Southam said.

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“All my coaching experiences are extremely rewarding. For the past year I’ve been involved in developing and co-coaching the Southern Districts Red Devils No Limits team, which is a program for people aged 11 years and over with an intellectual disability.

“In June, we competed at the Association Members Championships and played off in the Grand Final. Seeing the players in this team’s enjoyment and improvement in the sport is the most rewarding team I have been a part of.”

Ms Southam said she loves building relationships between everyone involved in netball, and the challenge the sport offers.

Going forward, she hopes to continue coaching teams at grass roots level, the No Limits team and in the WA Netball League for the South-East Demons.

She also hopes to continue playing for the Zodiacs Netball Club and work towards being a player for the League side in the South-East Demons.

Ms Southam’s father David, who nominated his daughter for the Local Sports Star award, said her enjoyment of the sport was obvious from her first games as a child.

“I’ve been extremely proud of her dedication and determination to succeed, her will power and strength to continue even in the face of adversity, with a career-threatening ACL injury,” he said.

Name: Rachel Southam Age: 19 Suburb: Armadale Sport: Netball Category: Service to Sport

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