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That’s the message from Bathurst coach Michael Germech leading into the side’s Bing Lee West/Central West Regional League title defence, which kicks off on Sunday.
Germach mentored Bathurst to a breakthrough title win last year, which ended Orange’s 21-year dynasty, and he says his side has no plans of giving that trophy back in 2018.
He knows the blue and gold bibs have targets on their back though, particularly in Sunday’s opening game, a mouth-watering 2017 grand final rematch against Orange.
“We’re regional champs, no-one can walk away from that or deny that (and) we wear that badge going into the new season,” he said.
“Sunday’s come awfully quick and the first game is … against Orange. We’re really looking forward to that.”
Adding another edge to that match-up, and the reinvigorated Bathurst-Orange rivalry in general, is the fact this weekend’s hosts will boast one of the Thunder’s former stars.
Chloe Madden, who was a part of several of Orange’s wins, has linked with Bathurst for this year’s tournament.
“(It) adds a bit of spice to the competition. She didn’t get a run with the Orange team so we were happy for her to come and play for us,” Germach said, before explaining his side could potentially be stronger than last year’s champion outfit.
“Emma Miller is back in the team from two years ago. Kate Burns from Bulldogs’ A grade will play for us. The team’s been trying to get her back involved in rep netball for a few years now. Her sister Alisha [Glasgow] joins us and she’s another quality player.
“Rachel Murray comes across from basketball this year and she bring a lot of great skills to the team.
“No-one will be the champion on the first Sunday. It will just be all about seeing the standard that we need to be playing at (and) over the next six weeks we’re looking forward to a really intense competition.”
Bathurst faces Orange from 9am on Sunday, before playing Dubbo’s under 21s and then Orange’s under 17s in rounds two and three.
- BATHURST: Grace Broadfield, Madeline McAlister, Jessica Matthews, Emma Miller, Rachel Murray, Courtney Puzicha, Sam Thompson, Claire Woolmington, Kate Burns, Chloe Madden, Saph Mitai-Ngatai, Alisha Glasgow. Coach: Michael Germech. Assistant Coach: Catherine Welch