Chelsea Pitman and Layla Guscoth named co-captains for Adelaide Thunderbirds in Super Netball
Adelaide Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst has opted for a familiar dual leadership system as the club bids to regain its powerhouse status.
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Adelaide Thunderbirds have joined an Adelaide trend and named co-captains with England team members Chelsea Pitman and Layla Guscoth to lead the side in the Super Netball season.
Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst admits she has deviated from her own captaincy perception, but believes the dual captain system was the best fit for the new group.
Adelaide and Port Adelaide have opted for two captains this season.
Guscoth and Pitman are the fourth co-captains for the Thunderbirds. Peta Scholz and Laura von Bertouch had the job in the national league from 2004-06, Nat von Bertouch and Mo’onia Gerrard were the skippers in the trans-Tasman league in 2010 and von Bertouch and Sharni Layton shared the position in 2012.
“My preference is for one captain and a leadership group,” Obst said. “But I’m more than comfortable with the co-captaincy.
“Everything started from scratch with the program and the leadership came at the end, it has evolved over time.
“Chelsea has probably been the leader from back in October with the younger girls and Layla has seamlessly fitted in and her standards she has set on and off the court have been immense.
“When we started the leadership program it became very obvious very quickly who the leaders would be. They have qualities which will contemplate each other.”
Guscoth is in her debut season with the Thunderbirds and has captained England’s under age teams as well as being vice-captain of Team Bath in the England Superleague.
She said she was shocked when informed of her new role and was honoured to lead such an amazing club and great group of players.
“I’m competitive and I like to win and lead by example,” Guscoth said. “Since Tania came in, from what the girls say, there has been a change in focus and a want to do better, to play a style it has not done in previous years and be a lot more competitive.
“We want to make the top four. The team has been amazing and gelled nicely.”
Pitman claimed there was a simmering feel in the club similar to when she had belonged to successful team.
“I can’t put a finger on it, but that is the vibe,” she said.
There is no guarantee the veteran will be available for the opening round clash against West Coast Fever in Mile End on April 28 after she hurt her calf in a trial in Brisbane last month.
Initially fearing she had damaged her Achilles in the trial against Sunshine Coast Lighting, was relieved it was only a calf issue.
“When you have a muscle injury you must listen to it, but I’m tracking to be right for round one,” she said.
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