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West Coast Fever coach Stacey Marinkovich is expecting her first child in December, and her players are over the moon.
Expectant mum Stacey Marinkovich has confirmed she will continue to coach the West Coast Fever next season, with her players already looking forward to having a new best friend on tour.
Fever players erupted with joy earlier this week when Marinkovich told them she is expecting her first child - a boy - on December 25.
The timing is perfect for Marinkovich given the current season ends in September and next season won't start until around April.
Marinkovich praised the Fever and Super Netball for the support offered to coaches and players who are keen to start a family.
"With netball, it's hugely supportive of being a mum, particularly in the last couple of seasons," Marinkovich said.
"Within my contract - it's very similar in the girls - you get to have a carer on tour for the first 12 months with the baby.
"He will only be four or five months old when we start travelling next season ... so I'll have a carer come with us as well.
"It's great to be able to do my job and be hugely supported by our club at the same time.
"The players are excited for next year when there will be a baby on tour for us."
Marinkovich says netball has evolved ahead of its time in regards to supporting new mums.
"The majority of the coaches are mothers. Briony (NSW Swifts coach Briony Akle) has got four kids," Marinkovich said.
"There's lots of people who have paved the way in terms of being able to coach at the elite level and also be a parent as well."
A five-match unbeaten run has seen the Fever claw back to within six points of fourth spot.
But they face a huge task on Saturday when they take on the second-placed Lightning on the Sunshine Coast.
The Lightning thrashed West Coast 80-55 when the teams met in round two in Perth, but star Fever captain Courtney Bruce was injured that game.
Marinkovich feels her side is much better placed now than it was two months ago.
"There's some games where you just have a bad day out, and Courtney wasn't there at that point in time," Marinkovich said.
"I think we have evolved and will be a different outfit in terms of how we're playing and the consistency that we can produce."
