KATELYN Challis seems to thrive on challenges.
The mainstay Mildura mid-courter and the round six Mildura Golf Resort Sunraysia Football Netball League’s of the Week has also taken on the task of coaching the club’s B team this season.
Those games follow straight after the A Grade encounters, but Challis takes it all in her lengthy stride.
“It’s hard to just wipe the A Grade game, but you just take that little break in between and get straight back into it,” she said. “But I’m loving it.”
“We haven’t had a full team this season… it’s really all a new side put together, but we have so much fun. As and Bs train as a squad so we are doing pretty much what the A team is doing. I am basically just a player during the week as Ava (Zadow) and Jess (McNamara) take charge, but it’s a great experience.”
The Demons are second on the table in a tightly packed field with a countdown 3-2-1 record after a win over defending champions Ouyen United at the weekend.
“It was a very tough game. Ouyen are always a very difficult team to play against. You can never rule them out,” Challis said.
“We didn’t have the lead for much of the game. I just think we stayed composed at the end and that got us through.
“But it’s been a bit of a weird season, and you can’t really underestimate anyone. I think we’ve had one week where everyone has been available and we’ve got a few new girls in the mix, so it’s just a matter of getting together and meshing and that will come.
“I can see it already happening and we are getting stronger.”
However, she also accepts this season will be quite a challenge in an evenly stacked field … except one side.
“It’ll be very tight, and we will be in the battle for the top five. To get better we just have to work on the little things at training … composure, not rushing the ball when we get it and our decision making and being more accurate,” she said of the longer-term plan.
But in the immediate future lurks the great challenge of facing undefeated juggernaut Wentworth.
“We’ve got the bye next week and then after that Wentworth. It’ll be tough but it will also give us an idea of where we sit,” Challis said.
“They have set the standard, that’s for sure.”
Challis is the Mildura Golf Resort SFNL Netballer of the Week for round six. She receives a $150 voucher for the Mildura Golf Resort.
