Netball coach Sarah Einsiedel finds joy in mentoring young players

18-year-old Sarah Einsiedel almost quit netball after serious back injuries left her sidelined. But the crucial support of a coach helped her get back in the game.

Darebin Netball Association coach Sarah Einsiedel. Picture Andrew Tauber

SARAH Einsiedel knows how to play through pain.

The 18-year-old netballer almost quit the sport after serious back injuries left her sidelined.

But the crucial support of a coach helped her “get through a lot of struggles and learn how to handle life”.

The Watsonia teen now has her own youths to mentor in the Darebin Netball Association’s U15 team.

“The thing I love the most is the enjoyment I see others getting out of the sport,” she said.

Einsiedel said she tried to be more than just a coach.

“My girls do team bonding sessions to get to know one another and have a safe spot to go if they need to,” she said.

“If you have an issue, I’m always open to talk about it.”

Einsiedel says teamwork is the key to success. Picture Andrew Tauber

Her approach has shown results, with the U15 team taking home a flag last year.

“It was an amazing feeling, all our hard work just paid off,” she said.

But Einsiedel was reluctant to take credit.

“A club isn’t just about one person — it comes from a whole group of people and I don’t think I’d be the person I am today without the community I’ve had surrounding me,” she said.

Einsiedel is on track for a career as a personal trainer with a Certificate IV in Fitness, but she won’t give up netball.

“If you do something you love you find ways of managing it,” she said.

Sarah Einsiedel is a Leader Local Sports Star nominee.

Nominations for 2017 have closed. View the other nominees HERE.

With thanks to our 2017 partners Sportsmart, SportsTG and Gold104.3.

@edjgardiner