The Standard |
Abbie Sheridan found the right sporting fit when she joined East Warrnambool after moving from Hamilton for a work opportunity.
Yet she’s donned the Bombers’ lycra for less than a season and knew nothing of the club until jumping on the internet in the summer.
“I didn’t know anything about any of the clubs in Warrnambool and I was looking for a club that seemed to be quite social,” she said.
“I pretty much Googled clubs and noticed they had a few social functions in the off-season.
“I thought it’d be a fairly social club so I gave them a go, which has worked out really well for me.
“We had the club ball last weekend and it was such a fun night, it ran really well. It goes to show what sort of a club it is.”
The Bombers’ enthusiasm about having Sheridan, 27, in their ranks is reciprocated.
She has provided experience and leadership to one of the youngest sides in the Warrnambool and District league A grade competition.
The Aimee Drew-coached side is yet to break its season duck but those within the playing group are pleased with the progress on the court.
The development of still-eligible juniors Lena Wright, Lilly Schrama, Amy McConnell and Jamie-Lee Ducane is among the encouraging signs.
“They’re definitely holding their own. They’re really nice players, they’ve got a good netball mind,” Sheridan said.
“With some coaching and some senior experience they’ll be really amazing players. They’re already nice players.
“They star in the juniors but they definitely hold their own in seniors, which is a different game altogether.”
Sheridan grew up in Geelong and played juniors with Newcomb and Geelong West-St Peter’s before “life got in the way” and she stopped playing.
She shifted to Hamilton to pursue a teaching career and played a handful of games with Hamilton Kangaroos last season, later moving to Warrnambool.
“A job came up at the end of last year for this year and I managed to get it. I work at the Warrnambool Special Development School,” she said. “The kids amaze me every day. The whole school is amazing, so supportive. Because I am such a new teacher I’m getting a lot of support.”
Her experiences with the Bombers have been just as rewarding. She is quick to play up how far the side has come since round one.
“Week one we didn’t really know each other too well, being able to play together was hard work,” she said.
“From that first week we’ve become so much more settled in our game and now we know each other as players and people.
“From never knowing each other on a personal level, the fun we have on and off the court really shows.”
