Emmaus St Leo’s 2020 season is starting off with a bang as they welcome OG women’s team stalwart and occasional goalsneak Amy Ronchi back to the club in a coaching role capacity.
This brings the coaching team to three for the affectionately named Animalettes who begin their third season in 2020, with Ronchi joining returning head coach Roy Fenton and previously announced assistant coach Geoff Koop as they hopefully lead their charges to finals for the first time.
Ronchi, who willingly admits that the offer was the last thing she expected, is just glad to be able to stay around the club despite not being able to play due to injury. It was in round 9 of 2019’s home and away season that a dislocated shoulder ended Ronchi’s season too early and resulted in a trip to the hospital. While the injury kept her from playing on-field, her involvement with the club off-field didn’t falter, coming to trainings and games and still making an impact. While her first reaction may have been a surprised laugh, it’s safe to say that when she brings that level of commitment to the assistant coaching role, it’s only going to make her that much better in it.
Important committee member and on-field warrior Michael Davis is incredibly proud of the way Emmaus St Leo’s supports their community with personal development, both on the field and off it.
“When Amy showed an interest in coaching, it was something that we fully got behind as the next step in her football journey.”
He also cites the fact that she already knows the group and can not only bring a player’s perspective to the coaching panel but a female one too is a major drawing card and will be extremely beneficial. The female perspective is an important point to make, given the appointment of Ronchi as assistant coach marks the first time in Emmaus St Leo’s women’s team’s short history that they have a female coach, which is something Ronchi herself hadn’t thought about.
To come back to Emmaus was a no-brainer for Ronchi, whose return is due to the people and the environment of club.
“I’m not quite ready to leave the women’s team yet and am excited to see how well they do this year.”
Her role as assistant coach is to liaise between Fenton, Koop and the team to make communication more effective, and it’s a role that really means a lot to her.
“I love being involved in both the club and the women’s team so being invited back to coach is really exciting and flattering.”
Emmaus St Leo’s 2020 campaigns begin again tonight, with preseason back after the Christmas break for a 6:30 start. Bennettswood Reserve is the place to be, with the sun shining and blue skies lighting up the oval in the best way. Training is likely to follow on from December, with a mix of fitness and ball skills while new faces and old will be welcomed with signature Animals pride, laughter and commitment.