MK Dons will provide a tough test for Guernsey
TO BE competitive is the main goal for the Guernsey U19s in their new South League campaign.
That is according to new age-group head coach Donna Brehaut, whose side return to South U19 Division Two action tomorrow.
She is perhaps wise not to set out a concrete target for their position – or anything to that effect – given the multiple uncertainties they will face.
This includes having different personnel to their debut last season, new teams in the division, and some notable alterations to the rules.
One very significant rule change involves a shift towards the tactical or ‘rolling’ substitutes system that has been used in the domestic leagues over the last two seasons.
‘Our aim is to compete, and to compete in every match,’ Brehaut said.
‘We do have to settle into the league and see what it brings us, especially with the new rules as well.
‘It’s a little bit of an unknown. Everybody’s in that situation.’
Although in theory strengthened by their league experiences last season, they will be losing several core players to university.
Brehaut has described the team’s current stage as ‘a bit of a transition’.
‘We do lose a significant core of those who played last year, and it’s a much younger squad than last year.
‘Each game, they will gain experience and confidence. They will be training with the seniors – that will be really important to them.’
Given her own experiences as a long-term Guernsey player, Brehaut hopes to guide the U19s through the transition into senior level netball.
‘It’s nice to be part of that journey going from U19s to seniors, and being an Island player, there’s a good link there.
‘These girls are our future.’
Having previously headed up the U14s, Brehaut is ‘really excited’ for her first time in charge of a team playing regional level.
She will be joined in the role by fellow Specsavers Lightning netballer Sophie Pontin, who helped coach the U16s last season.
Both will be able to draw upon the vast experience of Sally Carns, who has now moved over to begin her role as Guernsey’s director of netball.
In a 14-match programme extending until mid-April, the Guernsey U19s’ first home fixture takes place on Sunday 22 September against Complete Netball Academy.
But first they must get through their season opener tomorrow, when they will be on the road against MK Dons, who were relegated from Division One last season.
‘We know it’s going to be a tough game,’ Brehaut said ahead of hopefully using the experience to guide them in future matches.
‘It will be good when we get that first game – we can look at what went wrong and what went right.’
Guernsey U19 squad for MK Dons
Poppy Bisson, McKenzie Rich, Mariella Groulef, Demi Young (captain), Liv Cotterill (vice-captain), Eva Bourgaize, Sophia Rogers, Emelia Mullins, Frankie Savident, Emma Feist. Coached by Donna Brehaut and Sophie Pontin.
