AS a successful businesswoman, Romany Bowen understands that a good culture and positive mindset are key elements to overcoming adversity.
The local MyoSports owner took on the massive challenge this season of transforming Red Cliffs’ A Grade netball team from perennial easy beats into contenders.
This is a team that has recorded just five wins in the past decade, including a 2891-day winless drought.
But under Bowen, there have been signs of improvement this year, even though they remain stuck at the bottom of the ladder with a 1-7 record.
Another second-quarter stutter helped their opponents on Saturday set up a solid 17-goal half-time lead before Mildura powered on to win 70-38 at Quandong Park.
The post-match interview with Bowen focused on how she was still trying to win the mind games with her players.
“Even two weeks out from round 1, I told the girls, ‘Leave those Red Cliffs teams in the past; I’m new to the club and we have to believe we can be successful’,” she said.
“Belief is such a big thing. I keep reiterating that we aren’t just here to make up the nine (teams in the competition) or just being another seven on the court.”
Bowen revealed she was already looking to recruit two key-position players for next season as she looks to beef up the young squad, which includes promising 16-year-old Alice Leeder.
“Yes, we’re missing the high-end quality, but it’s up to me to teach the players,” Bowen said.
“We won’t get there in a second. It’ll probably be two seasons, and I’m definitely here for the long haul.”
It won’t get any easier for the Tigers this weekend when they host Wentworth, who haven’t lost since the 2019 grand final.
The Dees, meanwhile, march into the second half of the season with growing confidence under playing coach Ellie Vincent.
The visitors were highly efficient in attack and applied plenty of defensive pressure on Saturday.
“We’re getting a bit quicker, maintaining possession better, and the connections down the court are improving,” a delighted Vincent said.
It was another eye-catching episode of young talent time for the Dees.
The likes of Ava Zadow, Ally Leng and Millie Seward are rising stars of the league.
But it was the pony-tailed assassins, Vincent and Jess McNamara, who were the headline act on Saturday.
The duo was supreme in attack as the Dees (6-2) remain second on the ladder.
Red Cliffs 38 lost to Mildura 70
BEST: Red Cliffs: Alice Leeder, Melanie Sweeney. Mildura: Alexandra Leng, Molly McDonald.
