Carpenter brings over 15 years of elite coaching experience from across the world having held coaching positions in New Zealand, Fiji and Singapore, and the development of coaching programs for a number of emerging international netball nations including Botswana, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland. Carpenter has held National Coaching positions for both Fiji (2014-2015) and Singapore (2003-2007 and 2010-2012).
Ms. Carpenter has been a force in international netball since her appointment in assisting with the National and 21&U teams for Papua New Guinea. This role was a natural progression into an appointment as National Coach for the South Pacific Games in American Samoa.
Carpenter is well qualified to lead The Capital Spirit – including 112 IFN sanctioned international coaching caps, gold-medal coaching appearances with Fiji (Pacific-games) and Commonwealth Games coaching appearances with Singapore (2006) and Northern Ireland (2014).
In announcing the appointment, David Marjoribanks, CEO of Netball ACT believes that the depth of experience that Carpenter brings to the organisation will be invaluable “It was essential in the recruitment of the Head Coaching position that we found an experienced and professional coach who can lead in an emerging environment. The strength of Kate’s coaching experience at an elite level will be instrumental in developing the talent, performance and culture of this exciting new franchise for Netball ACT”.
He goes on to add “We are excited to work with Kate and have her expertise as we begin the process of recruitment for athletes for the 2020 season. Kate has been involved in elite netball for such a long time, she understands what it takes to perform at this level and to develop a high-performance culture”.
For Carpenter the drawcard to elite netball coaching has been the challenge and excitement of what is a growing international sport, “The opportunity to lead The Capital Spirit in the Netball NSW Premier League competition is an exciting and challenging one. The chance to work with the best athletes in the ACT and contribute to their ongoing development. The difference and contrast of the elite Australian netball environment is something that I have wanted to experience and be part of first-hand.”
Carpenter goes on to add “there is a fair amount of the unknown entering the Netball NSW Premier League for the first time, this does however allow for a unique starting point and fresh perspective.”
The Capital Spirit will begin athlete selection in early December, with the team set to take the court in 2020 in the Netball NSW Premier League competition.
END
