The Collingwood Magpies have appointed Nicole Richardson as head coach for the 2021 season.
Richardson, who succeeds Rob Wright as coach of the Magpies, joined Collingwood’s coaching panel in 2019 with the responsibility for defence and has coached at representative and national level for the past eight years.
Richardson won world championship and Olympic bronze medals as a softballer before forging a second distinguished sporting career in netball with the Melbourne Kestrels and, at international level, with the Australian Diamonds.
Richardson won a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2002 as a Diamond and a World Championship silver medal in 2003.
Coaching then beckoned, with time spent as head coach of Victorian representative teams at under 17, under 19 and under 21 levels followed by a stint as head coach of Netball Australia’s Centre for Excellence and time with the West Coast Fever before Collingwood.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to drive the Collingwood program forward. After four seasons we are emerging from our establishment phase as a netball operation. It is now time to make our mark,” Richardson said.
“A tough campaign this year taught us so much and has placed us, I believe, in a position to make rapid progress in 2021.
“I would like to acknowledge Rob Wright for his time with the program. Magpies netball has a lot to work with. If we do the work there is no reason why we can’t be one of the most exciting teams in the game next year.”
Collingwood Chief Executive Officer Mark Anderson said Richardson has a clear understanding of what is required for success at the elite level.
“Nicole will be a head coach who will lead and set high performance standards within our program that translate on-court both in training and on match day,” Anderson said.
“Throughout what was an extensive process, Nicole was able to demonstrate her coaching attributes and skills and we believe she is the right person to lead the next stage of our evolution. Nicole is greatly respected by our players and staff and we’re all excited by what is possible for the squad under her leadership.”
Jane Woodlands-Thompson, Collingwood’s GM of Women’s Sport, believes Richardson’s appointment is the arrival of an outstanding new head coach.
“Richo has a wonderful warm way about her but also great steel and a firm picture of what she wants,” Woodlands-Thompson said.
“Her experience of team dynamics, personal qualities and technical expertise make for what we believe will be a wonderful coach of Collingwood.”
