When it comes to having runs on the board as a player and coach there are few more experienced than Nerida Stewart.
The former Swift and current Panthers Opens Coach has given decades to the game of netball. Since hanging up her playing shoes – she retired just before welcoming her second child to the world – Stewart has been getting her fix in the risk-reward world of coaching.
Having worked at the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS), and as Head Coach of the Central Coast Heart Under 20s team, Stewart knows what makes pathway netballers tick.
Since its inception in 2016, the Netball NSW Premier League has been a vital part of the Netball NSW High Performance program and Stewart can’t speak highly enough of its importance.
“Premier League is our state’s top-tier competition,” she says. “It is the ‘green room’ to the Super Netball Franchises and an opportunity for our best players to test out and develop their skill sets against some of the state and nation’s best netballers.
“Coaches, umpires and officials challenge themselves constantly to provide quality competition week in and week out.
“Now that all games are live-streamed, it also provides a platform for the inter-state and overseas viewers to witness the strength and depth of the NSW elite netball community.”
Elite sport is an ever-changing environment. When both the NSW Swifts and Giants Netball decided to set-up their own Academies it meant Stewart had to look beyond the NSWIS coaching role she held up until 2019. However, when one door closes another opens and the Premier League came calling.
“Between 2017 and 2019 I held the position of Head Coach of the netball program at NSWIS,” she says.
“When Netball NSW made the decision to implement the Academy Programs attached to the Swifts and Giants the NSWIS program ended along with my position, but Lisa Beehag offered me the opportunity to join the Panthers family as Opens Head coach alongside U23s Head Coach Moira Gaha.
“My role at NSWIS was focused on the support and development of the individual athlete with no allegiance to a franchise, but Panthers offered me the chance to get back to that team environment where you are striving every week to achieve something together along with that sense of family.”
Always looking to develop her coaching game, Stewart also decided to take up the opportunity to work with NSW Men’s Netball and was in awe of the athleticism they brought to the court.
“I took on the men’s program position to challenge myself as a coach and to think outside of the box when it comes to how I approach the development of a player as well as a team within a campaign,” she explains.
“It was a very exciting and rewarding experience. Their speed and aerial skills are amazing and at times I had to remind myself that I was there to coach, not just watch on in awe at what they could do.
“I found the men to be very receptive to constructive feedback with the ability to implement very quickly. They are extremely respectful and hungry for knowledge like kids in a candy shop. You have to really go back to breaking down the fundamentals so as a coach you revisit the language you use when providing instruction.
“I really enjoyed working with the men and the culture we created together. It reminded me why I coach and it was so much fun - something that we forget about sometimes.”
At home Stewart is even busier with a husband and five kids. It can be hectic but family time is what she values most.
"Relax? Mmmm is that a thing?” she asks, jokingly.
“Between the time I dedicate to my team, my husband and my five children and their sporting commitments along with renovating my house, there isn’t a lot of time left.
“I do love to catch up with friends for a coffee when I can and I recently took up macrame. I’m trying to do more reading but time spent with my family is where I truly get to switch off and enjoy life.”
After three rounds the Panthers Opens are still looking for a win, but Stewart has been in the game long enough to know that can be turned around. She also knows the road to success can be a long one and you have to embrace the journey.
“Panthers are working to make every game we play competitive and closer to the brand of netball we want to deliver.
“It is a daily job to keep on task and stay motivated but one all Panthers are committed too. It’s a long season and we are striving to grow within all key effort areas along with our measurables, while making sure we always remember why we play the game we love.”
A former Swift, Stewart doesn’t forget how far the game has come since she played for the famous club. And she is delighted to see the Swifts will once again don their famous yellow dress for the first time in 14 years as part of the team’s 25-year Anniversary celebrations.
“I think that every team should remember those that came before them that created the legacy left behind,” she adds.
“It was an honour to wear that blue and yellow dress of the Swifts, and when I heard of its return it bought a cheeky little smile to face as I remembered that fun time of my life and the wonderful friendships I made and still have to this day.”
It sounds likes Stewart is looking to ensure this current Panthers group will have similar memories of their own in the years to come.
