Coaching Staff
Gerard Murphy is our devoted and knowledgeable Head Coach at Geelong Netball Club, coaching Championship since 2014 and overseeing the entire club. With a background of playing the sport himself, Gerard was selected as Captain for the Australian Under 23 Men’s team from 2003-2005, as well as being selected for the Victorian Under 23 Men’s team from 2003-2005, and was a member of the underage and open Victorian Men’s teams from 2003-2009. Gerard started his coaching career in 2008 where he was an Assistant Coach for the Hume City Falcons Championship Division – back to back Premiers in 2009 & 2010. Gerard moved on to being an Assistant Coach for the Victoria U19 State Team aiding them to a National Championship in 2012 and taking out Silver in 2011. His coaching philosophy is to create a positive, honest, respectful and authentic environment for players to feel welcome, engaged and challenged. He supports players in developing their skills and knowledge of netball and life to help them reach their full potential; his attitude towards all things netball, health and fitness align perfectly with our club values.
Gerard Murphy
Head Coach
Mel is a passionate and nurturing coach with nearly a decade of experience and has been with Geelong Netball Club in various roles since 2012. She currently holds an NCAS Intermediate Accreditation whilst working towards her Advanced Accreditation, in 2018 Mel will again consume the role of Under 19s Coach. Mel has an impressive record to date with our U19s – placing Runner’s Up in 2015 and achieving back-to-back Premierships in 2016 & 2017. Mel is also involved with Geelong Grammar’s School Netball Program and the NV State Team Program; U/19 Apprentice Coach in 2016 (National Champions), U/17 Assistant Coach in 2017 (Runner’s Up) and U/19 Assistant Coach for 2018. Mel’s energy and enthusiasm allows her to take on any role required and execute that role at a high standard. She has the ability to adapt to different coaching/ personal styles and has the flexibility to create strong working relationships with players, coaches and officials; her care and consideration for player wellbeing and support to enable development on and off court makes Mel an invaluable member of the Cougars coaching panel.
Melanie Savage
Division One Coach
Damian Stephenson is the Geelong Netball Club U19 Team Coach. A former Men’s and Mixed Netball State player, Damian captained the Geelong Mixed Netball team to a National Championship in 2016. Damian has been coaching netball for several years and has achieved five School Boys State Titles as well as tasting success at Modewarre Netball Club in the BFL. In addition to coaching with the Cougars, he has been the Head Coach at The Geelong College for the past 6 years and has recently joined the Bell Park Dragons in the GFL. Damian brings to GNC not just experience, but enthusiasm for the potential of the U19 Team and is excited about helping the next generation of Cougars to discover their best.
Damian Stephenson
U19s Coach
We are excited to advise that our Cougar’s S&C coach Dr Scott Graham will be continuing with us for another season to plan and implement our pre-season and in-season S&C program. We are keen to work with Scott on providing age-appropriate strength work to lessen the likelihood of injury through over use and to educate these young athletes on the importance of looking after their bodies Our program will benefit from the scientific approach Scott is able to bring to workload management and injury prevention in young bodies. We are looking forward to seeing the results of a targeted and planned pre-season and how that relates back to less injuries over the coming year.
Scott Graham
S&C Coach
Tracy joined the GNC – Flyers program at the beginning of 2016 bringing with her a wealth of netball knowledge and experience as a player, coach and administrator.
Having been a representative player for both Barwon and Flyers it followed that she would turn to coaching. Her initial coaching appointments were A & B Grade positions at Modewarre and St. Mary’s achieving grand final berths several times at St. Mary’s.
It was in 2010 that Tracy discovered her passion in coaching and mentoring junior players. It is this passion that she brings to the Flyers program inspiring those around her to be committed and positive in approach.
In 2021 Tracy will also play a role working with Cougars Training Partners.
In addition to coordinating coach and player development and coaching we are excited to have Tracy working towards completing her Advanced Coaching accreditation in 2021.
Tracy Dunstan
Scholarship Coach
Bridey McElligott
Assistant S&C Coach
Emily is currently completing her third and final year of her Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University. Hoping to find a career in exercise physiology working with elite netballers, she is very excited to be working with the Geelong Cougars and is hoping to learn from some of the best in the state. Emily brings with her over a decade of playing experience hailing from Hoppers Crossing Netball Association and more recently Altona. She enjoys playing defence and having a laugh on court with her team.
Emily Lacey
Deakin Student – S&C
Kiera is very new to netball having only been exposed through one school tournament as well as been a fairly new strength and conditioning coach. Outside of Geelong Netball Club she is an exercise and sport science student and a keen soccer player. Through her sport and studies she has taken an interest in high level female sport, all aspects of sport science and strength and conditioning.
Kiera McHugh
Deakin Student – S&C