September 29th, 2025Go Daylesford!
It was a fantastic win for Daylesford’s A Grade netballers as they took home the 2025 grand final, defeating Learmonth 68 to 39.
DFNC president and A Grade coach Carly Luke said it was an amazing win.
“For a club that only a few short years ago, even playing finals was unimaginable, to go back-to-back (the team defeated Hepburn in last year’s grand final) is incredible for the club and the community.
“It feels like so much of the focus has been on our A-grade side (but) we’re building something where our other grades and our junior section can see that success. It really starts to trickle down.
“We had three out of four senior teams playing finals (including the senior footballers in the grand final). And our juniors are going really well. We had our under-15s play in the grand final this year.
“It’s a real marker of where our club’s heading and the fact is that this success is not just a one-off thing. It’s something that’s going to be sustained. We’re really trying to position Daylesford as a destination club and somewhere where people can come and be part of a great community and their kids are going to get access to really amazing coaching.”
Carly said there was no doubt they had a strong team this year with Jane Cook, Romy Streat, Maddy Martin, Chelsea Imanisani (captain), Sam Whelan, Jordyn Adams, Jess Standfield, Sophie O’Kane, Siobhan Adams, Olivia Leonard, Peta Fay, Carly as head coach and Alexia McConnell as assistant coach.
“Last year we just pipped Hepburn by one goal in the grand final, whereas this year we were a much more settled and versatile team. We had a lot of firepower and a lot of talent. We were able to go through the season undefeated and we really liked our chances heading into the finals. We’re just really happy that we were able to get the job done. And to go back-to-back is something pretty amazing.”
Carly said it was a really solid showing for finals and the club was proud that it came fourth out of the 17 clubs in the club championship award – the Merv and Mary Howard Memorial Champion Club Shield. “That’s our highest-ever placing in terms of the club championship, and that’s important to us, being recognised as the fourth best club in the league.”
Carly is now stepping down as A-grade coach to focus on the presidency and also take over coaching for the under-13 netballers where her daughter will be playing.
“I feel like over the past four years, and winning those two premierships, I’ve kind of given all that I can to senior netball, and I think it’s really set up and in a strong place now for someone else to continue it forward. And I really want to focus my attention on my daughter and the junior teams.
“We’ve locked in all of our junior coaches, and a lot of them are A-grade players coming in to boost our junior section and provide that high-level experience, coaching expertise, and it will ensure that across the board, all of our netballers from under-13s right up to seniors are playing the same brand and systems of netball, which is only going to continue to put our club in a stronger position.
Carly said she lived in Daylesford as a child for a few years and went to Daylesford Primary. She returned as an adult – to resume the connection.
“I didn’t just pick a place on a map. I came back to Daylesford, a place that I had a connection with, with a vision to do something really cool.
“Daylesford feels like home for me. The club and community welcomed me with open arms four years ago, and now I feel like I’m part of the furniture. And it is those everyday people who are part of the club that make it so special. They give countless hours volunteering and helping out to make sure that our players get the very best experience week in and week out.”
Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Adam Trafford | More images at tlnews.com.au
