Sport
13 June, 2025
Stapleton enjoying sole coach role
After securing a premiership last year, the Ararat Eagles A-grade netballers are starting to find their groove under experienced coach Kira Stapleton.
Stapleton joined the Eagles in 2022 and has been co-coaching since then, and most recently was co-coaching with Zanetta Hosking.
In 2025, Stapleton is the sole coach, and she is enjoying the gig.
“The premiership last year has been the highlight of my career,” Stapleton said.
“As for coaching, I love the engagement with the girls. I like to think that I am an open coach, as I get input from my girls on things that we want to try and work on.
“Also, as my role at work, with coordination and well-being, I like to check in on the girls and where they are at and the goals they want to work on, and I hope that boosts their confidence.”
As for 2025, coming off a premiership is always hard, and the Eagles lost players, and gained some, and despite sitting fourth with five wins, Stapleton believes they haven’t hit their best yet.
“I am happy with where we are at and am feeling positive still,” Stapleton said.
“We have lost two games thus far to who are potentially the other flag favourites, so I am very positive.
“We haven’t hit our peak yet, and our captain, Jamie-Lee Bennett is coming off eight weeks post-baby, so we are starting to get our full-strength team on the court.”
Stapleton has also been impressed with youngster Emily Kelly.
“Emily still plays 18-and-under and played in the junior B-grade premiership last year and is having a great year and is one to watch,” Stapleton said.
“She plays alongside her sister, Taryn in the defensive end and they are quite a solid unit down there.”
The Eagles play sixth-place Woorndoo/Mortlake on Saturday.
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