After missing out on the play-offs last season for the first time in their history as a club, the Newcastle Eagles have some work to do this year to return to the site of some of their most successful moments.
Having sampled those famous nights for the Tyneside club in the post-season herself over many years with the club, Rachael Bland is well-placed to discuss what steps the Eagles need to take to soar back into post-season contention, and we caught up with her recently to discuss her hopes for the club ahead of the new campaign tipping off in a week’s time.
“This year we want to build solid foundations to be able to develop this club moving forward. A lot of our work in pre-season has been centred on that and hoping that we can progress on the court as the season develops, peaking in time for when the big games come at the end of the year.
“We’d love to be in that play-off race, of course, after missing out last year. This is our Head Coach’s first full season, though, so we are concentrating on development at this stage and finding our identity as a group before setting any further goals.
“I’ve enjoyed helping to lead that work alongside the other experienced players in the team, but it has been a really pleasant experience because these players have all come in with the right mindset and approach. We know where we want to get to and we’re working hard to develop the identity that will get us there.”
This season also signifies the first full campaign for Head Coach Noelia Cacheiro, who took over the team mid-season last year ahead of the WBBL Cup Final.
With some changes to the roster mid-season, Cacheiro had a difficult task in guiding the club to the end of the season, but she’s excited for her first campaign and Bland discussed what impression her new Head Coach has made on the team.
“Coach is a true professional in what she does and as committed to the team’s success as she is to all of us as individuals on and off the court. I’ve really enjoyed her enthusiasm, her openness and honesty, and I’m excited for her first full season as a coach at this level.
“She’s got a long-term vision, for sure, but we’re not looking beyond this year yet and getting ahead of ourselves. Coach has a lot of experience and has played in a number of different leagues, including the WBBL, and we’re all moving forward together in one direction.
“I’m as excited as ever, I think. When I was younger I used to get really nervous, but I’m at a stage in my career now where I am able to come in and enjoy how fortunate I am to have this opportunity. What makes it more special for me is the people I have around me, and I’m looking forward to sharing some great moments with them this year.”
The Newcastle Eagles tip off their WBBL campaign on Friday September 23 away at the new-look Caledonia Gladiators. You can watch every game of the upcoming WBBL season live and free on the WBBL YouTube channel.