Goalie Asha Roche returns to the Warrnambool and District league

"Moving back from Melbourne and with the big difference with training and coaching I think I found it fit my new life and family dynamic," she said about joining the Warrnambool and District league club.

"I was actually offered a place at Warrnambool and loved it there and found it brilliant but I didn't feel like I could give my full commitment and it was not right to do that.

"(Coach) Raewyn (Poumako) was amazing with that option and with things in my life at this point it didn't suit with my twin girls being seven months old.

"When I went to Allansford it fit a little bit more my style with my family. I have been really enjoying it. The girls have been accommodating if I can't come to training and that is really good for myself and my partner.

"That has been biggest reason to go back out there. I'm very grateful for them allowing me to have flexibility with family and hopefully we can continue with that as well."

Roche, her fiancé Matthew Huf, who plays hockey for Altona, and their twin daughters Zaya and Wynter are settling back into life in the south-west after moving from Melbourne last year to be closer to family.

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The goal attack is eager to rejoin the Warrnambool and District league after playing her juniors with Dennington before moving to Melbourne.

She brings plenty of experience to the Cats' young list from her six years with Melbourne University in the Parkville Netball Competition's premier division.

The teaching student also tried out for Geelong Cougars and Westside Falcons, who play in the Victorian Netball League.

Roche hopes to pass her knowledge onto her younger teammates and help push Allansford from the bottom of the ladder towards a first finals berth since 2015.

"I'd like to try to go for finals this year and every team strives for that," she said.

"I want them to also better themselves. I'm new to the club and it's noticeable they have junior players with potential to be amazing players and they come into the team and make an amazing dynamic.

"I'd love to be part of that and bring a little knowledge from my time playing in Melbourne.

"Obviously we have Bridget as coach and that is her role and she is calling all the shots and I'm happy to give any advice when she calls on me."

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On a personal level the Purnim resident's goals are to return to top fitness and try to create a bond with her new teammates.

"For myself personally to get myself back to fitness covid and everyone missed playing and I was pregnant for most of last year so I have lost a lot of fitness," she said.

"So the big focus is on fitness and to get ourselves up to the best we all can be and that is not just myself. We want to gel cohesively as a club and team as well."

Roche, who has mentored sides in Melbourne, can also see a future coaching in the region.

"I'd like to go into coaching further down the road when the girls are a little older," she said.

"That is something sports wise I want to do and because I'm not playing that higher league anymore that doesn't mean I can't be successful in netball."

Allansford's season starts on April 10 against Kolora-Noorat.

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