Chloe Hill to succeed Jo Toms as Benalla A-grade coach for 2025 Goulburn Valley League tilt

Hill, who made her A-grade debut at the age of 15, is no stranger to success at Benalla.

She boasts an impressive record, including multiple best-and-fairest awards and two B-grade premierships.

Her return signifies not only a homecoming, but also the promise of renewed energy and leadership for the Saints’ A-grade side.

“I was approached to coach next year and with my family so involved with the club, it was a tricky decision, working in Melbourne, but I’m definitely excited,” Hill said.

Hill’s journey during the past two seasons has been diverse, with stints at Murrumbeena and Heathcote.

She was a standout at Heathcote last season, finishing runner-up in the A-grade best -and-fairest and earning a place in the Heathcote District Netball League Team of the Year.

When asked about her coaching philosophy, Hill emphasised the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

“I think there’s more to netball than just playing on the court, especially in a small town,” she said.

“It’s about bringing the social environment together.

“I had really great coaches in Benalla in Robyn Smith and Dylan Nexhip, so just passing those skills on to other girls as well.”

After a winless season for Benalla in 2024, Hill is determined to help the team improve and inspire younger players to step up.

“We can only really improve, so that’s the goal, to get close to a couple of teams and get a few wins out of next year,” Hill said.

The Saints may not have found a win last season, but each week was an improvement on the last. That is something that Hill hopes to continue to build on.

“That was the general consensus last year, they got close to a lot of teams, just not close enough, so hopefully we can learn from a few things and get there,” she said.

Trials for the 2025 season will be held soon and Hill is eager to reconnect with past teammates and introduce fresh talent to the squad.