#OurBlaze welcome Maria Lynch as High Performance Manager in 2023

IMB South Coast Blaze has signed up its first High Performance Manager, with talented netball professional Maria Lynch joining us for the 2023 season.

IMB South Coast Blaze Chair, Karina Franke, said the new High Performance Manager will provide the club with an opportunity to develop its netball program as a whole, rather than two individual teams.

“While we’ve been incredibly successful in our short time in the Premier League Competition, this role allows us to seamlessly prepare and promote our pathway players, including our Talent Identification, to our U23s Program and our U23s to our Opens Program,” Ms Franke said.

“To have someone of Maria’s calibre to form and refine this role in its inaugural year is an exciting development for #OurBlaze.”

Ms Lynch is a passionate netball coach with extensive experience which includes coaching in the New Zealand National Bank Cup; foundation Head Coach of the Hunter Jaegers in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league; Assistant Coach with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Netball Program; travelling nationally and internationally with the Australian U21 AIS Squad; coaching the U17, U19, U21 and Opens NSW State teams and successfully winning twelve National Titles.

Ms Lynch is a familiar face in the region, previously working as the Head Coach for the Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS) Netball Program and most recently was the Opens Head Coach with Sutherland Stingrays. Ms Lynch also mentors regional coaches through the Academy structure and is a selector for both NNSW and Netball Australia Underage Squads.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join IMB South Coast Blaze in 2023,” Ms Lynch said.

“The Blaze is a fresh and innovative franchise and the environment supports creative methods and ideas. The depth and talent of athletes and coaches in the region has always been significant and to be able to provide a strong pathway program is exciting.

“Blaze’s High Performance Team is coming together, with the OneTeamOneDream mantra guiding us to deliver an amazing 2023 season and beyond. I look forward to connecting with the region, collaborating with the High Performance staff and sharing a high quality environment with our athletes.”