https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/inaugural-marianvixens-coach-returns-to-the-court-in-title-push/news-story/5778bf268a7dd7cdb812417407a5f2d8 IT IS a homecoming that has put Marian-Vixens on a serious premiership charge. Rick Evans, the club’s inaugural coach, has returned with high expectations — to take out the competition. With 22 years of military service under his belt the former sergeant comes with a determined focus to get the best out of each individual who takes the court in the maroon and yellow. Despite being away from the coaches box for so long, it was as though he never left. And according to Evans, his team have adapted to his regimen instantaneously. “It was almost like this bloke is serious and it sort of generated that same feeling throughout the team,” the returning coach said.
“My expectation is I’ll get them to the grand final at least, and have a real serious chance of taking out the competition this year. “I always have high expectations and that’s what I expect from the girls. Play at their highest and strive for the top, it’s not worth playing without an objective. “It’s a new challenge and I’m quite enthusiastic about what I’m doing with the girls now.” Evans has a resume that stacks up with the best. During his service he played at a representative level with the defence force, and he also coached sides at New South Wales sides inter-service carnivals and in North Queensland. Evans’s military days eventuated in his ascension to the instructor ranks, so coaching and training became second nature to him. A spinal injury from his time in the defence force impaired his ability to coach for many years. But now he is in a position to return to the sport he loves. Whether educating young men or women, getting the best out of his charges is Evans’s speciality. “It does help, especially with the discipline side of things and what the expectations are from me,” Evans said. “They have a clear picture of what I expect from them and it makes it easier to get the message across. “It’s not so much I try and get into their minds, it’s trying to feed off their positive nature.” The coach’s comeback completes a strong family history with both Marian-Vixens and netball. His son, Martin, now acts as the club’s president. His wife and daughters are all fierce competitors on the court too. It seems to have sparked a regeneration period at the club. According to Evans, more than 30 players turned up for trials and a raft of premier side personnel changes have followed. Results have quickly followed, winning four of their five fixtures to share top of the ladder with Saints. “We’ve put a lot of work in before the season and the girls were really keen to work hard and prepare for the first game,” Evans said. “It’s more their effort and the fact they’ve come straight on board trying to do what I want them to do. “The biggest issue for this team is their own self-confidence, and after the first couple of games they know they can match it with any team.”
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AuthorI covered a vast range of sports and issues in my time with the Bulletin. Archives
June 2020
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