Kirstie Fuller's journey as a netball coach has been an impressive one and now she's taking it a step further.
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The Glen Innes local has been appointed coach of the Central Coast Heart under-23 team who play in Netball NSW's Premier League competition.
The under-23 competition showcases the best up and coming talent in the top competition in the state.
For Fuller, the appointment comes after years of dedication to perfecting the art of coaching.
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Starting as a NetSetGo coach in Glen Innes when she was 15 years old, she went on to some bigger roles, including assistant coach and then head coach of the Northern Inland Academy of Sport's netball program.
More recently, she was the apprentice coach for the NSW under-19 team, where she worked with head coach Lenore Blades and assistant coach Amber Cross.
Speaking with Netball NSW last week about her newest gig, Fuller was understandably elated by the opportunity.
"I am very excited, and nervous, which is a good thing," she said.
"Working alongside Amber Cross over the last couple of years has really inspired me and I am excited to see what I can create for Central Coast Heart, which has such an excellent team culture.
"I am looking forward to connecting with a new set of athletes and to see what we can develop and achieve together."
Growing up in Glen Innes, which has always punched above its weight at regional and state netball competitions, has helped Fuller in her netball career.
She's the daughter of current Glen Innes coach Julie Fuller.
Kirstie Fuller believes her regional background has been a key part of her development.
"Living in a small country town, loving netball and being involved in development programs such as the Northern Inland Academy of Sport for six years, and 17s and 19s emerging talent squads, helped me progress in coaching so I could give back to others in my community," she said.
"I love being a regional coach. It has taught me about the values of commitment, responsibility, dedication and being driven - you cannot do these jobs without those values.
"Metro folk are always shocked to see photos of our netball courts, particularly when I was growing up. There were only two asphalt courts of pretty low quality."
Fuller said she "loved" regional destinations for this reason, because "it shows that you can coach netball anywhere, and with hard work you can end up wherever you aspire to be".
