Renalle thrives on finals five

By Angela Banbury
NO matter what the sport, playing in a grand final and winning a premiership is usually a onceinalifetime achievement.
However for Renalle James, it’s just another game of netball.
The Kooweerup Agrade playing coach took her team to their fifth consecutive grand final in the Ellinbank and District Netball Association on Saturday.
However the game didn’t go to script, with the Demons losing to Cora Lynn in a nailbitter by just three goals.
Renalle was appointed coach when Kooweerup moved from West Gippsland into the Ellinbank Association in 2000 at age 19.
Since then it’s gone from strength to strength, becoming the most dominant and respected team in the competition.
“We’re all such good friends. We’ve had the same core players for the last five years and we know each others game so well,” she said.
Coaching her friends has its moments for the talented goal attack, but she knows the girls understand her predicament.
“I’ve never had any problems as they understand how hard it is for me to bench anyone especially during finals,” she said.
“Training’s the hardest I have to be the one to say ‘quit talking and listen’ when usually I’m the one talking.”
Renalle has also played netball for Peninsula where she was again part of a premiership in 2000.
She is currently playing for Gippsland Storm in the State League competition under coach Simon O’Shannesy.
Starting netball as a nineyearold, Renalle has had plenty of coaches and has played with and against some outstanding netballers, rating Storm teammate Lee Kitchin as the best.
“She’s awesome and has a lot of natural talent,” she said.
The season may be over for another year, but the Kooweerup girls under Renalle’s guidance are sure to be back for another crack at a premiership next year.
“We all know how much fun it is celebrating a premiership. We all have a pretty competitive nature which is important if you’re going to be successful,” she said.