Cobden re-signs Sophie Hinkley as coach for 2022 Hampden league netball season

Hinkley, who re-signed for the 2022 Hampden league season on Friday, said the club was in a strong position and would be spurred on after its 2021 premiership dream was dashed following a decision to scrap the final series.

The Bombers were undefeated entering the finals which were cancelled on Friday due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"We're not going to look at these years and lament the lost opportunties but think how wonderful it could be that we could still be successful for another five years and have a really strong era for our club," Hinkley said.

Hinkley is determined to deliver a maiden open netball flag to Cobden.

"We look at all of those hurdles along the way as being stepping stones for us," she said.

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"Everything has contributed to us building our maturity and resilience and probably that mental stamina to overcome anything that's cropped up along the way."

Hinkley said she embraced the coaching challenge.

"I signed on at the end of last year and didn't get the opportunity to coach (because of the pandemic) and I really loved the coaching this year," she said.

"Being on the sidelines injured gave me the opportunity to concentrate on coaching.

"To be honest, it made me not even miss playing. I much preffered being on the sidelines and being able to contrinute in that way.

"I felt the support I could give the girls from the sidelines was even greater so I really enjoyed that."

The Bombers' senior experience was crucial in finsihing atop the ladder but Hinkley knows its youth will help provide sustained success.

"If we are losing people to injuries and pregnancy, we have that depth within our club and it is an exciting prospect for us to play some juniors and have the support around them," she said.

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