Former Australian captain Natalie von Bertouch joins T-birds as specialist coach
AFTER a break from the game, former Australian and Adelaide netball captain Natalie von Bertouch is back with the Thunderbirds — but in which position?
ADELAIDE has completed its coaching panel after adding former national and Thunderbirds captain Natalie von Bertouch as a specialist midcourt coach and Cathy Fellows as head coach Tania Obst’s assistant.
Von Bertouch, 35, returns to the game after retiring following the Thunderbirds’ 2013 ANZ championship, having also led the Diamonds to the world championship two years earlier.
Obst was chuffed with the marquee signing, saying she hoped von Bertouch would bring not only elite netball experience but would also help with the players’ leadership skills.
“Natalie’s history in the sport is right up there with the legends that are involved in netball,” Obst said. “She is a world-class midcourter of the current era and someone that brings the ability to perform on the court.
“I’m looking forward to her being able to execute that from a coaching role but also her qualities as a leader.
“So very much looking forward to her being able to pass on those leadership qualities.”
Von Bertouch said the time was right for her after having a couple of years away from the game and starting a family with Norwood captain Jace Bode.
She sensed the T-Birds had built up some momentum in the off-season after failing to win a game in last year’s national netball league.
“I think what Mel (Thunderbirds general manager Melody Cooper) and Tania are driving off the court, the conversations I’ve had with them, it feels like there’s about to be a change here at the Thunderbirds,” von Bertouch said. “I get caught up in it and I think that’s what we hope for the players and also the wider South Australia.
“There's a special vibe and feel that’s happening at the club.
“Personally, for myself, obviously having been involved with the Thunderbirds for a long time, I was really excited to not only assist in that change but also kind of grow and learn coaching skills from Tania, who I’ve actually had as a coach when I was a player.
“She’s a great teacher.”
Von Bertouch wasn’t concerned about the club’s struggles last season.
The Thunderbirds failed to win a match and now has a losing streak of more than 20 matches.
“I think there’s a whole new group of players,” she said. “We’ve got some really good local talent and international stars in the mix.
“I think the talent is here.”
Fellows, who has become on of the game’s most respected, joins from Collingwood, where she worked as an assistant last season.
She moves across from Melbourne for a fresh start after working in the Victorian system for the past 20 years.
“Joining the Adelaide Thunderbirds was an offer I couldn’t turn down,” Fellows said. “ It’s an exciting opportunity to continue to develop my coaching skills in a new environment with world-class athletes and a world-class coach in Tania Obst.”