Coaching Staff 2025-03-21T06:10:26+00:00

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 Advanced Coaching Accreditation and has started the process in gaining her Elite Coaching Accreditation.

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, Netball Victoria Talent Identification and the NV State Team Program; U/19 Apprentice Coach in 2016 (National Champions), U/17 Assistant Coach in 2017 (Runner’s Up), U/19 Assistant Coach in 2019 and U/17 Head Coach in 2018 & 2020. Locally, Mel is Head Coach at Geelong Amateurs FNC including U11’s coach.

Melanie Savage
23/U 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
19s Development Team Coach

Guy McCleish
Open Development Team Coach

I’m a current 2nd year Physiotherapy student at Victoria University. I hold a Level 1 Sports Trainer accreditation and I’m aiming to work towards my Level 2 accreditation over the next few years. I also currently work at the Austin Hospital in patient services, so patient and athlete care is always at the forefront of my mind.

Within this role, I’m looking forward to being able to help the Cougars athletes achieve their goals via 100% physical fitness. Having a background in netball myself, I’m looking to bring my knowledge of the game into good use when helping athletes prepare for the physical demands of matches, and treating any injuries that occur in play.

Joshua Ferris
Primary Carer