Hi Jetsetters,

A big well done to all 21 of our Jets teams on making it through another Winter Season.

This weekend Semi-Finals commence, so a very Big Congratulations & Best of Luck to our 8 Jets Finalists.

You’ve worked hard all season, so keep it, now is the time to Shine Bright!

As for support, we would love to see as many Jets members as possible during the finals, so please check the Semi-Finals Information in our newsletter for the game times & allocated court numbers.

Over the past few weeks, the Club has been very busy with Winter Season wrap up, Summer Trials and our recent AGM. At the AGM, we were pleased to have Club Treasurer Brenda Dombi nominated to continue in her role for the next two years, as well as a number of other generous Committee Members. However, it was a shame that we didn’t have many attend this year, as the Club is still run by too few volunteers & always in need of more help. So please consider supporting your Club & contact our Secretary for further information.

During the AGM, I highlighted a few positive achievements by our Metro Jets family in season 2021, so I thought I would share a few:

• Our young PL Squad (average of 21yrs) fielded 3x League debutants this season.
• Our PL Squad wore the Clubs’ first ever Indigenous dress for Indigenous Round, designed by Andrew McLeod & based on the story of the ‘Seven Sisters’. 
• We had 3x State Reps: Aaleya Turner (17’s); Monet Lyle & Poppy Gilfillan-Silk (19’s).
• We had 2x SASI selections: Aaleya Turner & Poppy Gilfillan-Silk.
• We had 1x ANC Southern Force Squad selection: Poppy Gilfillan-Silk.
• Head Coach Trudy Barker re-signed for the next two seasons 2022-23.
• We recruited 9 new enthusiastic & positive Jets Coaches. 
• We had 3x PL Players give back to the Club, Coaching our Inter 1 & 2 sides.  
• Jets Inter 1s, 2s & 3s all made finals, showing good Club pathway depth.
• The Club entered Division 1 Teams in all AMND age groups & added a GO side.
• We partnered with Challa Gardens Primary School, with Jets Players coaching 3 age groups throughout Term 1 & 2; & our PL Captain currently delivering their Net Set Go Program.

A big thank you to our Coaches, Officials & Players for continually representing our Club with professionalism, respect & positive attitudes. Your dedication & commitment is outstanding!

To our Committee, thank you for the many hours you volunteer to ensure the success of our Club. 

Lastly, to all the businesses & families who have generously supported Metro Jets with sponsorship throughout 2021. The Club couldn’t continue to promote the development of our players, Coaches and Officials, without you, so Jets please get behind these businesses wherever possible.

Go Jets!

Rachael McLeod

We also thank our 4 new Silver Sponsors, who we hope to continue working with in 2022:

AMND Winter Finals

Congratulations to all our Jets Teams on a strong performance throughout the Winter Season, with a special mention to the following sides on making it through to the Finals:

Premier League 2021

The 2021 season was again an incredibly busy one, dealing with a prolonged season, COVID restrictions, rebuilding our Premier League side, and identifying new and young talent within our ranks at Metro Jets. Despite all of that, over the past 12 months the growth and development of our Premier League Squad, both on and off the court, has had a steady progression. Each week the players that took the court, represented our Club to the best of their ability. In all seasons there are highs and lows, good times and bad, frustrating moments and ones you need to celebrate, and this season has had more than I have previously experienced. 

On the positives, we rewarded three players with Premier League debuts: Aaleya Turner, Tennille Merchant and Sarah McCarthy. We had the opportunity to have talented Thunderbirds player Latanya Wilson represent Metro Jets on two occasions which resulted in two good wins.  

We also had three Jets Squad members achieve State representation: Aaleya Turner made U17’s; and Poppy Gilfillan-Silk and Monet Lyle made U19’s State Team. And lastly, Poppy Gilfillan-Silk has been rewarded with selection in the ANC squad.

A further positive for the Club is our recent Premier League signings for Season 2022. I am happy to confirm that I have signed on for a further two seasons as Premier League Coach, along with our Club Captain Kimberley Batley and a further ten key squad players, which provides the Club with a strong foundation. In addition, when the recruitment window opens on the 17^th of September, we will be actively looking to add new players to the Metro Jets family.

Jets Premier League Reserve Coach Julie Wakefield is stepping back and looking to take on a new role at the Club, that will allow her to focus on Coaching development and assistance in the younger ranks at Metro Jets. We thank Julie for her efforts and know she will be a strong Club member for many years to come.

It’s been a trying season at times, but our future is strong, with young talented Jets’ athletes coming through, that will also help to strengthen our AMND and A Grade sides next season.

I look forward to seeing you all in 2022. Go Jets!

Trudy Barker – Premier League Head Coach MJNC

Premier League Player Profile 

Name: Monet Lyle

Nickname: Nays – but the netball girls call me Mon

Age: 17

Favourite Netball Position: WA

What do you do for work/study?

I am currently in Year 12 at St Michael’s College and also have a part time job at Royal Copenhagen Semaphore

How old were you when you started at Metro Jets?

I started at the club at 11 years old when we were known as Western Jets, playing in Junior 4. I then progressed through the club where I began playing Inter 1’s and then was lucky enough to sign with the Metro Jets Premier League two years ago at the age of 16, this was my second year in the League team.

Why do you play for Metro Jets (some good things about the Club)?

Having been at the club for over 5 years now I am so grateful for all the friendships that I have made. Metro Jets are a welcoming family club that I love to be a part of because you’re doing what you love with your closest friends who support and want the best for each other and the team.

Describe yourself as a player?

Hardworking, attacking and persistent.

Who has been the biggest influence on your netball?

Being involved in the Adelaide Netball Academy I was fortunate enough to be coached by Marg Angove. In a short time frame, she taught me so much not just about netball but the type of person I want to be and the approach I want to take into my netball.

What is your greatest Jets netball achievement/memory?

There have been so many achievements and memories throughout playing netball so far, but making the Preliminary Finals in my final year of Inter 1’s before joining the Premier League squad was so exciting and to do it with a lot of my closest friends was even better. My greatest achievement however has been making both the Under 17 and 19 State Teams. Unfortunately, because of Covid, it hasn’t been able to go ahead but it will always be a privilege to be selected to represent your State.

Other than playing, what else have you been involved in at Metro Jets?

I’ve helped out with a few of our developing teams and various club days and events.

Name three people in the world that you would invite for dinner?

Rhianna, Kanye West and Paul Walker.

If you could have one superpower what would it be?

Teleportation because then I could go wherever I want, when I want.

Which of your team mates is the funniest?

We have quite a few people in the squad that like to have a good laugh, but I would definitely have to sayChrysta James for me. We carpool to training together and she always has something funny to saythat makes me smile and laugh.

Which of your team mates takes the most selfies?

A few people like to take a good photo to upload to social media, but I think Tennille Merchant comes tomind over anyone else in the squad.

Which of your team mates trains the hardest?

I am always really impressed with our Captain Bats. She always leads the way and sets the standards intraining and games. Especially throughout preseason she was pushing up the front of the running pack and would always make sure to give her best effort to get the most out of it.

Something your Head Coach regularly says? 

Trudy has quite a few things that she loves to say, and I love the enthusiasm and encouragement she brings. Particularly for me though I would have to say the echoing of “Goooooo Mon” which she screams from the bench telling me to take my drives on.

If you were stuck on a deserted island, which three team mates would you take and why?

I would defiantly bring along Bats, because of her expertise about marine animals.

Poppy because she is tall and could reach things that I can’t being so small, and she would keep it real with her honest and funny personality.

I would also take Tam because she knows a lot about natural remedies and herbal medicines which might come in handy.

Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?

I’m not extremely set on superstitions like Rhianne Kaluza in our team, but I do have a few I always follow. Like, I must always tape my left ankle first before my right, put my left sock on before my right, and put my left shoe on before my right. So, I’m a sock sock, shoe shoe kind of person!

What food do you eat leading up to a game?

I love to eat pasta preferably the night before or even for lunch on game day.

What’s your favourite pre-game song?

I love to listen to Eminem pre-game for some pump-up music, particularly the song ‘Lose Yourself’ or I listen to Kanye West too.

If you were to give some advice to Jets youngsters, what would it be?

I would always say to train hard and make the most out of the opportunities that you are given. Whether that’s performance on the court or the new friendships you’ll make. I think it’s also important to have fun and enjoy the game of netball.

Positive Partnerships – Challa Gardens Primary School 

Metro Jets were also very pleased to partner with Challa Gardens Primary School throughout 2021. 

For the Club the partnership was focused on recruitment/development and involved the Coaching of three Challa Gardens age divisions throughout Terms 1 & 2; and currently we have our PL Captain delivering their Net Set Go Program as well. 

A big thank you to the following Jets Players for assisting the Club with Coaching:

Jazlyn Owers – Years 2/3

Annalese Dunbar – Years 4/5

Tahlia Treagus & Olivia Massey – Years 6/7

Kimberley Batley – Net Set Go 

Also, a big thank you to Challa Gardens and Jordan Lehman for facilitating the partnership program.

Umpiring

This Winter Season saw the inclusion of five new Colored Shirt Program Umpires: Lara Mellow, Elouise Nordhausen Bradley, Annabel Richards, Katherine Ramsay and Livia Podreka.

A well-deserved thank you must be given to these Umpires and their families for their commitment to officiating allocated games when needed.  In terms of Umpire support, we introduced a core group of four mentors that have been readily available on game day to provide our Umpires with support, feedback, and to manage any on-court issues. Thank you to Leah Dunn, Lisa Cawdron-White, Natasha Shrubsole and Dean Oliver. 

This coming Summer Season we will also introduce Leah Dunn as our Coloured Shirt Program Coordinator. Leah is well known throughout the Club, assisting at Metro Jets over the past 3 years and we look forward to her further sharing her knowledge and expertise with our young Umpires. 

Metro Jets are required to provide an umpire for every game that we participate in, so if you’re interested in Umpiring and supporting our Club, we would love to have you on board.

Please email our Umpiring Coordinator, Caitlin North at metrojetsumpiring@gmail.com for more information or to register your interest.

Good News Stories

Do you have a special occasion that you would like to share?  
Birthday, wedding, other achievements?
The Club is always keen to celebrate positive news stories about our Club Members. If you have a celebration to share, please email our Club Secretary, or share your news with the Club via our social media sites; and don’t forget to tag us in your pics!

Club Support

We need your help!  Metro Jets Netball Club is run by volunteers of our Jets community, and despite the amazing selfless efforts of these people, our young, growing Clubs still needs assistance. 

Do you have any skills that the Club could utilise?  Could you offer some time to assist with events? 

If so, please contact Club Secretary Katrina Wood at secretarymetrojets@gmail.com