The Waikato Bay of Plenty Netball team will be led by Rebecca Gabel for the 2019 Beko Netball League. She will be joined by Sonya Noble as Assistant Coach, while 2018 manager Dairne Burns will continue in her role for another season.
As Assistant Coach for the WBOP Beko Netball League side in 2018, Rebecca is looking forward to stepping up to the new challenge ahead and is excited to be joined by Sonya next season. Rebecca has built up an impressive coaching resume over a number of years, leading the University Premiers club team to ten Hamilton City championship titles in a row, winning the NZU19 Championships with Hamilton City in 2017, as well as the role of Head Coach for the Aotearoa Maori Secondary Schools team, winning the International School Girls Tournament in 2017. She has recently been appointed as one of Netball New Zealand’s specialist coaches in the “Pathway to Podium” national programme.
Sonya, was Assistant Coach of the 2017 WBOP Beko Netball League team and is delighted to be involved again. She has held a number of coaching roles in Zone, Club and Secondary School programmes, taking St Pauls to New Zealand Secondary Schools Finals for the first time last year. She has also previously been Head Coach of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Zone Level 2 Performance Squad programme.
Both Rebecca and Sonya are close to completing the requirements for Netball New Zealand’s Performance Coach Qualification (PCQ) and have balanced their coaching experience with the study and learning that goes alongside.
Rohan West, CEO of Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty, was impressed with how Rebecca and Sonya presented themselves to the organisation.
“With Mary-Jane Araroa moving up to Magic, an opportunity has presented itself. Rebecca was given the Assistant Coach role at BNL level this year and was instrumental in moulding and gelling our team that performed so well. Sonya has been with us before at BNL level and is a highly respected coach. We look forward to them leading the WBOP team in the 2019 Beko Netball League”.
The Waikato Bay of Plenty team start their 2019 Beko Netball League on Sunday 3 March, venue to be confirmed.
