Sport
21 November, 2025
League announces association championship coaches
The Hampden Football Netball League is thrilled to announce the coaching appointments for the 2026 Junior Association Championships.
The League received an outstanding calibre of expressions of interest and is delighted with the high-quality coaching group assembled for the upcoming representative season.
The U13 team will be coached by 2025 Koroit Open premiership mentor Danielle McInerney.
Danielle is deeply passionate about junior development and will step into the role after several successful seasons guiding the league’s U17 team.
The U13 reserves team will be coached by North Warrnambool’s Marie-Clare Smedts, who in 2025 served as an assistant coach under Kate Dobson and will now take charge of her own team.
Newly appointed Portland Open coach Leah Sullivan will join forces with long-time HFNL coach Kate Dobson to guide the U15 team; together they bring significant experience and elite game knowledge, ensuring the group will be exceptionally well led.
HFNL games record holder Tracey Baker will step into the coaching ranks to take charge of the U15 reserves team, bringing strong leadership and a highly respected netball mind to the group.
Multiple South Warrnambool premiership coach Will Jamison returns to the representative program as coach of the U17 team.
One of the region’s most experienced coaching figures, Will also currently leads Netball Victoria’s Western Talent Academy and famously guided the HFNL Open team to state title success in 2024.
Will is passionate about the development of all players and will be a big addition to the coaching line-up with his experience.
HFNL Head of Netball, Dot Jenkins, said the league is thrilled with the quality and depth of the coaching group appointed for 2026.
“Every player selected will have a wonderful opportunity to learn, develop and enhance their craft under these exceptional leaders,” Dot added.
The Association Championships Western Zone Qualifiers will be held in Warrnambool for the second consecutive year on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
