Szmierek (nee Taylor) enjoyed a successful career in university netball with Bath, together with both coaching and playing at Superleague level over the years.
Her extensive resume also includes captaining England to a 2014 World Cup silver in the alternative game of indoor nets and, following a temporary relocation, helping bring Bermudian netball to new heights.
This means she will be well-equipped to lead an overhaul of performance netball in the island.
‘I’m really excited,’ she said.
‘It’s not a blank slate, Guernsey, but there’s a lot of passion and a lot of potential and a lot that needs to be done.
‘I’m excited to be part of a period of change on the development side of things.
‘The group of girls are very passionate and they have really bought into changing the plan and making it a bit more professional. That’s an exciting time as well.’
She will not be taking on all the roles fulfilled by previous development officer Sally Carns, which will be shared out due to the time investment required, but will be making a special commitment to Panthers coaching.
Panthers will be returning to the CD Phoenix Regional League this autumn, maintaining a competitive opportunity despite coming up short in qualifying for the main Netball South structure.
This will resemble their debut campaign last season with the commitment to away games but they will also, for the first time at this level, have one team travelling to play in Guernsey.
Her aims include strengthening the Panthers brand again, adding: ‘I want people to know the players a bit more.
‘They should be role models to young players. I don’t think at the moment people even know who our first team are.’
The home inter-insular in March will be a major focus following the cancellation of this year’s event, while potential remains for fixtures against interested teams from the Army and Navy, and maybe even Ireland.
‘There’s plenty of opportunities,’ Szmierek added.
‘It’s going to be trying to fit things in and make it realistic in terms of what we can plan for.’
But the main tournament focus in coming months is the long-awaited return to the Island Invitational Netball Games stage.
Nearly three full years after the inaugural edition took place in the Isle of Man, Jersey will be hosting the sophomore Games from 30 October to 1 November at Oakfield.
Guernsey will be going up against not only their Channel Islands rivals but also Shetland, Orkney, Ynys Mon, and a French contingent.
The inclusion of what appears to be a French national team has taken Szmierek’s attention.
‘They’re our neighbours. If we can get more experience against them, that could be quite exciting for the future.’
