IN a big day for Collingwood Magpies supporters and netball fans alike, Nicole Richardson has been handed the reins for the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season, with the former assistant coach stepping up to head coach honours ahead of the upcoming season.   

While former head coach Rob Wright fostered some solid connections and exciting prospects during his time at Collingwood’s helm, Richardson will look to take the side into the future with what is ultimately a clean slate for the side after finishing at the bottom of the ladder, unable to record more than the one victory in 2020.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to drive the Collingwood program forward. After four seasons we are emerging from our establishment phase as a netball operation. It is now time to make our mark,” Richardson said in a statement published on the Collingwood website. “A tough campaign this year taught us so much and has placed us, I believe, in a position to make rapid progress in 2021.”

Formerly representing Australia for both softball and netball, winning medals in both sports, Richardson’s experience at the top level will allow her to put that winning mentality and drive to good use with a side she is already familiar with.

When it come to coaching accolades, this will be Richardson’s first Suncorp Super Netball head coaching role after spending two seasons as a specialist defensive coach with the West Coast Fever and joining the Collingwood Magpies in 2019. Her further experience includes head coaching roles at Victorian Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 levels, as well as head coach of Netball Australia’s Centre for Excellence.

“Nicole will be a head coach who will lead and set high performance standards within our program that translate on-court both in training and on match day,” Collingwood CEO Mark Anderson said. “Throughout what was an extensive process, Nicole was able to demonstrate her coaching attributes and skills and we believe she is the right person to lead the next stage of our evolution. Nicole is greatly respected by our players and staff and we’re all excited by what is possible for the squad under her leadership.”

The Magpies realistically have nowhere to go but up heading into the 2021 season, with mounting injuries and an inexperienced playing group telling much of the tale for their lowly season. Richardson will aim to lift the ailing side, with the valued experience of returnee Ash Brazill likely to kickstart the team into action, while the services of import Kalifa McCollin out the front will add an additional element to the somewhat one-dimensional attack-line of the 2020 side.

Finalised list heading into 2021:

• Geva Mentor
• Molly Jovic
• Jodi-Ann Ward
• Kelsey Browne
• Shimona Nelson
• Gabby Sinclair
• Mel Bragg
• Ash Brazill
• Kalifa McCollin
• Jacqui Newton