Western Netball are thrilled to appoint experienced coach Annette Pearce for their team who will compete in the Perry Foundation National Championships in September-October this year.

Pearce coached the Western Flyers in the National Bank Cup in 2003 and 2007 before taking the role as Western's 1st Division Coach in the 2007 and 2008 National Championships. She has returned to the region after a stint with the Central Pulse Franchise in 2008.

Pearce is an asset to the region and is excited about taking Western to the National Championships in 2009. She says, "There is a wealth of talent here in the Western region and this is a great opportunity to identify and showcase the outstanding netballers we have to offer". Pearce hopes to build on Western's performance in 2008 and take the team to the top four for the first time.

Western's Perry Foundation National Championship campaign will begin on September 6th in Palmerston North where they will play 2008 champions, Southland. The finals week will be held in Invercargill from 1-3 October.

Trials for the Western team will be held in June.