A Tasmanian coach could fully regain the reins of the Tasmanian Magpies in a sure sign the state will also broker a new deal to partner Super Netball club Collingwood.
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Netball Tasmania's three-year contract is due to expire, but chief executive Aaron Pidgeon said the two parties are close to coming to terms that will be financially ticked off by the state government.
"We're proceeding in good faith that the deal will be extended so we're getting the ball rolling," Pidgeon said.
"So it was appropriate that nothing's extended beyond that initial deal, but we'll now open it back up."
Pidgeon, a once assistant coach for the inaugural team back in 2017, has declared all positions open and vacant.
Elissa Kent is still yet to announce to Netball Tasmania her intentions to continue coaching the ANL side.
"We want the best coaches to apply. We're committed to the process," Pidgeon said.
"The contracts last year were just one-year contracts, and Collingwood and Netball Tasmania are committed to making sure that this year we open it back up again.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
"We don't always do that all of the time - sometimes we might give out two-year contracts because of the circumstance. But this seemed like a good time entering the next stage of our relationship to open positions up to have the best people in place."
Jon Fletcher, who had been the first man to ever coach in a national competition, took charge of the Tassie Spirit for five years and resumed for the state's Magpies rebirth.
He was succeeded by Kate Upton, who led Tasmania to a first national title in 2018 and this season was promoted to Collingwood's new assistant.
Pidgeon would not rule out a return of both a Tasmanian coach and assistant.
"It's not an absolute by any means as Collingwood has a coach and a couple of assistants in Melbourne," he said.
"It's not out of the question we couldn't have two coaches from Tassie because they have staff on hand. In the ideal world, we'd have one in Victoria and in Tasmania.
"So it starts with the head coach and depend we're we select them and they're based, then it will have a flow on effect into the assistant coach role so we have that Tasmanian balance."
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Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
