Netball
9 April, 2026
WFNL 2026 preview: Lifelong love of netball drives Nhill coach
Mel Polkinghorn couldn't wait until she was old enough to play netball.
After first watching her mum play the sport and then being courtside when her older sisters joined the team, she did her time until Grade 3, at first playing Netta and then progressing through all junior levels with Nhill.
"I went on to play 152 senior games across A and B grade, with five years off for maternity leave," Polkinghorn said.
"I retired in 2017 due to a knee injury."
With previous basketball coaching experience, Polkinghorn took on the position of coaching netball A grade, along with playing, in 2005.
"After taking some time away to raise my two girls, I returned to coaching Moddies from 2014 to 2020," she said.
"I’ve also coached B grade (2018–19, 2021–25), C reserve (2022–25) and A grade in 2025."
Polkinghorn said she was passionate about developing players and creating a positive and supportive environment where athletes could grow both in confidence and skill.
She added she enjoyed giving back to the club that had given so much to her, and doing so was something she deeply valued.
Her contribution hasn't just been in coaching and playing.
She's also been the club's director of netball from 2021 and 2024 and she declares proudly she was honoured to be awarded life membership in 2024.
Last season wasn't the best for Nhill, and Polkinghorn explained it was an extremely new A grade line-up.
"While we only secured a few wins, we made significant progress in building connections and strengthening our teamwork," she said.
"But it was an enjoyable and important development year.
"We formed new combinations and worked hard on our team dynamics, laying a strong foundation.
"Moving forward, our focus will be on becoming more competitive through greater consistency, structure and belief in ourselves."
The club has retained almost all of its A grade players from last season this year, which Polkinghorn said would assist with continuity.
They have also welcomed a new player in Gemma Ryan, along with Courtney Hillier, who is returning to the court after maternity leave.
Once the A grade side was finalised, Polkinghorn said, they would set their goals around performance for the season.
"However, at the heart of it all, players won’t become the best version of themselves if they’re not enjoying the sport and the environment they’re part of," she said.
"My hope is that by the end of the season, our players feel proud of how we’ve grown as a team and still genuinely love playing netball at Nhill."
