July 18, 2014, 9:33 p.m.
NEWCASTLE coach Cherie Aoake-Puru believes her NSW Netball State League side's tumultuous 2014 season will hold them in good stead for a slated top-division revamp.
HOPE: Cherie Aoake-Puru.
NEWCASTLE coach Cherie Aoake-Puru believes her NSW Netball State League side's tumultuous 2014 season will hold them in good stead for a slated top-division revamp.
Pregnancies, injuries and work commitments left Newcastle's already inexperienced side facing a huge task this year in the Waratah Cup.
They finished winless and last with a goals for-and-against of 475-827 from 13 games.
Despite forfeiting one game, they still conceded the most goals in the competition. Second-last Liverpool let in 785.
But Aoake-Puru said Newcastle did not plan to drop down a division next season.
She said Newcastle had a two-year plan built on inclusion in the proposed Premier League open and under-19 competition, which is set to start in 2016 above the existing first-division competition.
"The idea is to build the team to get into the premier league because they are the right age for what it will be all about," Aoake-Puru said.
"We want to keep the young ones around and stay in the state league."
Among their setbacks this year, Brooke Fennings, Danielle McGready (both knee) and Kristen Cohen (back) succumbed to injury, while Natarlia Bridges and Jodie Ballard fell pregnant.
Aoake-Puru hoped to keep the young squad together and attract more senior players willing to play in the elite Sydney-based competition.
"It was a hard year, but they still did OK for their age," she said.
"They all went back to their age groups at state and absolutely killed it, so the positive is how easy it was for them once they went back. But we will certainly try to bring back some experienced players in to help them next year."
Meanwhile, Newcastle product Tanisha Stanton will play in Wednesday night's decider for Eastwood Ryde after their 50-42 win over Sutherland Shire booked a clash with St George.
Today in the Newcastle open championship, fourth-placed BNC welcome back Zara Francisco, Viana Bainivalu and Jasmine Trimble from injury and illness for the clash with Bilbie Dan Advocates in round 11.
The Advocates broke Souths' undefeated run last week to stay in second place.
In other games, BNC 2 play Junction Hotel Yoga Loft, Nags Hotel meet Souths and JH Stella take on Bilbie Dan.
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