Triathlon on the agenda for South Warrnambool netballers

Roosters coach Leesa Battistello said players had the option of training for the Warrnambool Tri Club's foreshore triathlon on February 7.

Battistello, a non-playing coach who is training for the event, said it was part of the open grade team's fitness focus.

"There's a few of us who are keen to do that as a way of having a bit of bonding and looking for well-rounded fitness," she said.

"And also as it's something we foresee will happen, it will be nice to actually build up to something we can do and measure how well we've done.

"We're trying to put a bit of competitive spirit into it. Because people have been working in isolation for so long, I think you do need something to work towards and we're so lucky to have the Warrnambool Tri Club who offer so many awesome events."

"Pure netball training", focusing on ball work, will start in February.

"We surveyed the playing group and at this stage there will be a bit of voluntary stuff before Christmas," she said.

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"We actually trained up until the league cancelled the competition (in June) so we probably trained a lot longer this year than anybody else; we had Zoom training every Thursday night.

"In light of that people are keen to do their thing."

Battistello had built a strong team, including recruiting former North Warrnambool Eagles goal shooter Annie Blackburn, ahead of her first season at the helm.

But the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 season.

She is now ready for "take two".

"I feel very privileged and lucky to have the role of starting things back up again because it's going to be very different and it might be a bit of a challenge," Battistello said.

"I am looking forward to hopefully being that one who reboots it all."

South Warrnambool has retained its playing list bar Gen O'Connor who will play in the Geelong league due to work commitments.

"We're very lucky at South that once people come and enjoy our hospitality, it's very rare they leave," Battistello said.

"That's the culture we want to build at South - successful, inclusive and lots of fun."

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The Roosters are pleased with their teenage cohort - Meg Sutherland, Emma Stacey, Meg Kelson and Isabella Rae.

"We've got a lot of babies but they're experienced finals players - they love the pressure, they love the competition, so we're really excited about giving them the chance to consistently be open players," Battistello, the wife of senior football coach Mat, said.

Stacey, who was a bottom-age 17 and under prospect this year, is expected to get court time in 2021.

"She had made Geelong Cougars' VNL under 19 team," Battistello said.

"She will be a really important part of our team going forward."

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