‘No brainer’: The MLS Coach still going strong

By Matt Fotia 

“I seem to fall into these things.” 

That’s what New South Wales Marie Little Shield coach Therri Ellison said of her coaching pathway. 

The highly regarded coach has been moving the magnets almost as long as she’s been playing the game, first coaching a side while in high school, eagerly throwing her hat into the ring. 

“I always wanted more netball, so when I was at school, we didn’t have enough teachers to coach all the school teams, so I put my hand up,” Ellison explained. 

“I was in the year 11 team and was coaching a year nine team and a year seven team.” 

This energetic approach has stayed with Ellison ever since those senior school days. 

The former state league player has rarely said no to a coaching opportunity, often coaching sides either side of her own playing commitments.  

Her involvement with underage representative sides led to a role with the Sydney Netball Academy, and it was while coaching here that she was first offered the chance to get involved with the NSW Marie Little Shield program. 

10 years later, and Ellison is still going. 

“I didn’t know what I was getting myself into at the time, but once I started working with the girls it was a no-brainer,” Ellison said. 

“They’re all so enthusiastic and love their netball, so being involved with them was so easy.” 

From the moment Ellison walked through the doors for her first Marie Little Shield training session, she was taken aback by the welcoming and engaging nature of the training sessions.  

“They’re athletes who have a real sense of fun, with a willingness to have a joke with each other,” Ellison stated. 

“I remember trying to help a pair of players who were new to netball (coming across from basketball) with their stepping. 

“They’d land and look at me and I’d either nod or shake my head and we’d all have a giggle. It wasn’t that ultra serious vibe which you would get in other representative sides.” 

The relaxed nature Ellison describes hasn’t had much effect on New South Wales’ ability to have success at the Marie Little Shield.  

The side have won two of the past three titles, regaining their crown with a hard-fought five goal victory against Victoria at last year’s tournament.  

Ellison believes the increased access to grassroots competition has helped New South Wales stay ahead of the game. 

“There’s much more access (now),” Ellison says. 

“There is greater participation at association level, which is filtering through to more people attending Marie Little Shield trials and we now have an all-abilities state championship. 

“There's a definite focus about trying to hold onto our crown but it’s going to be a big ask. 

“Our last few training sessions we’ve had some match play with some outside teams, and you can see the things we’ve been working on are starting to peak at the right time. 

“Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia have always been strong, but watching the teams like Northern Territory, ACT and Tasmania grow and improve every year is wonderful to see.” 

The opportunity to compete is not the only thing on offer at the Marie Little Shield, of course.  

It’s a chance to strengthen bonds and relationships, create new connections and be part of something special. 

“We’re a little family,” Ellison says. 

“We don’t see each other a lot, but we’re always in contact with each other. 

“The girls have a great connection and we’re kind of an extension of that. It’s not just the ten of them in team, it’s the support staff, the training partners. 

“I see us as one little family anyway.”