Torquay unveil ex-Diamond Madi Browne as senior specialist coach for 2025 BFNL season

One of Australia’s greatest netballers, Madi Browne is set to take on a coaching role back within the Bellarine’s local netball scene. Here is how it all played out.

Sonia Harris has re-signed as Torquay’s A grade coach for the 2025 season. Picture: Alan Barber

Torquay A grade coach Sonia Harris knew there was no harm in sending a text after learning Madi Browne had relocated to the coastal town.

And it proved worth the trouble, Harris declaring her “Christmas had come early” after the ex-Diamond and Commonwealth gold medallist agreed to join Torquay as a senior specialist coach ahead of the 2025 BFNL season, though it wasn’t just Harris who had sought out the netballer-turned-commentator’s services for the Tigers.

“Literally shot her text after learning she’d moved to Torquay, and I know her and her mum (Chris) pretty well... it was a positive response so we jumped on it,” Harris said.

“I messaged one of our committee members (Meagan Mifsud) and she said ‘actually I’ve just reached out to her also’.

“Great minds think alike.

“You never think you’re going to get a bite back but you always think, no harm in trying and we did so we’re pretty happy.”

Harris is confident Browne’s arrival would help instil belief in her players as they aim to build on their 2024 preliminary final finish.

It comes as the club also signed experienced pair Kate and Erica Schippers from Barwon Heads.

“With our group it’s actually getting them to believe they’re good enough, which, I couldn’t think of a better person than Madi Browne to come along and instil that,” Harris said.

“I just really want them to understand they do have what it takes, you’ve just gotta have that mindset which we want Madi to bring along which I think she’ll do til the cows come home.”

Madi Browne with son Judd in May this year. Photo: Ginger + Mint

Browne in action for Australia in 2013. Picture: Sarah Reed

Harris said the list was endless with what Browne — who grew up playing for GFNL club South Barwon before her well-credential professional career — could offer the Tigers, from strategy, to high performance and technical knowledge as well working in the mindset and culture space.

“She’s a high-energy person, she’s positive, she’s solution-focused and I think what is really important for our group of where we’re at as a club is, we’ve really got to teach some of these young kids on how to handle pressure, what to do in those tight situations,” Harris said.

“And knowledge is power, the more you know, the better you’ll get.”

Midcourter Erica Schippers (right, pictured playing for Barwon Heads against Torquay) has signed at the Tigers. Picture: Alan Barber

Meanwhile, Kate and Erica Schippers’ arrival is expected to inject experience and on-court leadership into the Tigers’ line-up.

“It was just a good match and good opportunity,” Harris said of the sisters’ arrival.

Kate, who coached the Seagulls for the past four seasons after playing in six flags at Geelong Ammos, is set to resume on-court duties after welcoming her second son, Hugo earlier this year.

“The good thing about Kate is she can play either a goal shooter or goal attack,” Harris said.

“We like the versatility, we like the fact she’s a bit of a bigger body and she knows the league really well so she’ll be really good for Hally (goal shooter Elisa Hall).”

The Tigers overcame a 0-4 start to the 2024 season to finish fourth and progress to a preliminary final, which they lost to eventual premiers Ocean Grove.

“I was really happy with our year, I was really happy with how we finished, we played some really good netball and built some really good connections within that team so we’re absolutely wanting to build on that,” Harris said.

“In saying that, you’ve got to see what other teams are doing... so just take it step by step and focus on what we’re doing.”

Originally published as Torquay unveil ex-Diamond Madi Browne as senior specialist coach for 2025 BFNL season