THERE’S a fine line between being the boss and one of the playing group, but it’s one that Wentworth coach and prolific shooter Amanda Edwards finds both challenging and enjoyable.
The Mildura Golf Resort SFNL Netball Player of the Week, delights in both tasks, which is pretty easy to understand if your A Grade team has won two of the past three pennants, has steamrolled to an emphatic 3-0 record this season and you are averaging more than 50 goals per game.
“There’s a huge joy from playing but being able to coach and look at the game from a different perspective, strategically, I do love that,” Edwards, a near unstoppable force under the net, said.
“Obviously the challenge of being a playing coach is something I have worked really hard on, but I love seeing the girls being able to achieve things and that makes me very proud as a coach as well.
“The hardest part is being able to find that fine line between being a role model as a coach and then leading by example on the court.
“When the girls do something at training or whatever, I’ve got to do it as well.
“Run-throughs, sprints, it’s just balancing wearing the two hats.
“When I’m on the court I have the coaching one on but when we’re off the court we are all really good friends.”
The goal shooter who averages more points ger game than some teams in the competition has no plans to hang up her bib just yet.
“Hopefully I can keep going for a few more years … the body keeps holding up well, so that’s a good sign,” Edwards said.
That’s not the greatest news for the rest of the competition nor is the fact that the Roos have come out this season hungrier than ever after barrelling undefeated throughout 2024 only to be stunned by Ouyen United in the grand final.
“There’s certainly more hunger around the group,” she said of the team’s reaction to that humbling defeat.
“That loss was really hard for us and took time to get over. It was always a challenge to see how we would bounce back but they have shown so far, they have a point to prove.
“Everyone is definitely up and about now, that’s for sure.”
Edwards is the Mildura Golf Resort SFNL Netballer of the Week for round four. She receives a $150 voucher for the Mildura Golf Resort.
