Fitzgerald new Assistant Coach for the Under 21s

Sydney Swifts coach, Julie Fitzgerald has been appointed as the new assistant coach of the Australian 21 and under team ahead of a two Test series against New Zealand to be played next month.

Fitzgerald’s coaching record in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy is impeccable, having not missed the finals in the competition’s ten year history and guiding the Swifts to two premierships in 2001 and 2004.

A level three accredited coach, Fitzgerald is both highly regarded and respected by the Australian netball community. Some of her coaching credentials includes coaching New South Wales at various levels (19u,21u and open) and apprentice coach to the Australian open team in 1997.

Fitzgerald is pleased to have been appointed to her new position as assistant coach.

“This is a wonderful opportunity and I am delighted to have some involvement in netball at an international level.”

“I am excited about the depth of talent we have in this area and look forward to be able to the players’ development,” she added.

Former Melbourne Phoenix coach, Lisa Alexander was appointed as Australian 21 and under head coach earlier this year and Fitzgerald is looking forward to working with her.

“I am also looking forward to working with Lisa (Alexander, head coach).”

“We have a good rapport and I have a great respect for her as a coach.”

Prior to playing against the Silver Ferns, the Australian 21 and under team will play practice matches against the Australian open team and the Queensland Firebirds.

Alexander believes she can work well with Fitzgerald and rates her highly as a coach at the elite level.

“Julie is the complete package.”

“She has experience coaching against New Zealand from previous pre-season competitions, has a great knowledge of the players in the squad as their coach or an opposing coach, has great communication skills and the ability to read the game. We will work extremely well together.”

The players in the 21 and under squad will go into camp at the AIS in Canberra on July 1st and a team of 12 will be announced the following day.

The two Tests will be played in Brisbane, with the first to be played on July 20 and the second two days later as a curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games Gold Medal rematch at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

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