The Penola Eagles look like being an exciting team this year in the KNT Netball Association.


The 2024 side has a lot of new faces playing this year and will be one of the younger sides in the competition.


After making the finals in the last two years and winning it all last season this year’s team is a fresh start with not a lot of players from last year returning this year.


The Eagles will be led by a new coach this year with Maddy Teakle taking the role after returning to the team following a year of maternity leave.


Also returning this year is Ash Merrett who will be one of the older players with Teakle this year.


Teakle said she was excited to be coaching a young side because of the athleticism that her players possessed, along with a high degree of versatility.


New players to the team this year include Penola local Gorgia Robbie who has returned after studying away and Riley Buckingham who has moved from Kongorong


Young gun Tegan Lythgo will remain with the Eagles, and is one of the younger players at the tender age of 15, turning 16 this year.


Also returning is Siobhan Adam who played in the premiership side last year.


Teakle also said that Hannah Klemm has stepped up from playing A Reserve last year and is looking forward to taking the court for A grade this year.


Teakle believes that Buckingham and Robbie will play a big role this year and the duo is looking like they will have a good season for the Eagles.


Teakle said she was still unsure how her side will go this year given that she has not been part of a young side like this nor coached a youth-filled side either.


“When it comes to KNT I think we are so far and wide that you do not really know what other teams look like,” she said.


“I feel confident in the ability of our side and it’s just matching up on those more experienced players and adjusting to that.


“I think we will do well and I think we will have to rely on the athleticism and play to our strengths.”


So far the Eagles have had one practice game during pre season against Tantanoola which was early on, held right after trials had finished.


They have also had internal matches against the A Reserves side.


Teakle said she was excited to face the challenge of being the head coach.


“Nothing great happens inside your comfort zone and I have been playing netball and I understand the game of netball really well so I thought taking on the challenge was kind of that next step for me,” she said.


“We all dream of being a premiership coach but for right now it’s about being a big believer of being honest and open with the girls and big communication.


“I have been on teams where it has not been that way so I guess the expectations for myself is to create a good culture within our team.”


Penola’s first game of the season will be against Mundulla at Penola on Saturday.