“It’s a new voice, it’s a new coach, it’s a new character, it’s a new presence within the environment. And sometimes that shift is all a team might need to spark a little bit of extra growth as well.”

After two years building up a successful new Leeds Rhinos netball franchise in the Vitality Netball Super League, this is what new Fever coach Dan Ryan aims to bring to the table in his not-so-unexpected Suncorp Super Netball homecoming.

“One of the really appealing parts of West Coast Fever is the depth and professionalism within the high-performance support team, and the programming and the resourcing, and when you have those elements at your disposal you can have a lot of confidence that this is a place to be your best,” he said.

“And you know, I’ve certainly seen that in Stacey Marinkovich’s growth as a coach and she’s been a huge advocate for the program.”

The 37-year-old steps into the role of West Coast Fever head coach following Stacey Marinkovich’s departure from the club at the end of the 2021 season.

Ryan has spent time with Adelaide Thunderbirds, England Roses, Northern Ireland and Manchester Thunder throughout his coaching career.

Ryan said Marinkovich leaves quite a legacy as she steered the club to finals and turned the club into a powerhouse and he’s eager to pay tribute to and build upon that foundation from 2022.

“I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for what she’s been able to do with the playing list and the squad and the culture she’s created within the program, and I feel incredibly privileged as the new head coach coming in to be able to inherit something in such a positive place,” he told The Netball Post.

“I want to honour what’s been in place before and honour the legacy that has got West Coast Fever to the position that it has, and find new ways to add value and evolve the program.

“The luxury of the team performing so well, particularly the past two years, they’re as good as any other team in the competition so it’s really about identifying where some of the growth areas and opportunities might be, and the discussions we’re having around list management can be simple things from is it an improvement in culture, is it a shift in game plan or is it personnel?”

One obviously can’t have a discussion about West Coast Fever and list management without inevitably mentioning standout Leeds Rhinos shooter Donnell Wallam, the talented WA shooter who made a name for herself under Dan Ryan in 2021.

A reunion of the two at West Coast Fever certainly might be on the horizon at some point, with the new head coach praising her talent, and acknowledging the ongoing consideration from the club before his tenure.

“She’s someone that’s certainly within the mix of what we’re looking at and certainly someone we’ll consider, and has been considered at the club for a number of years,” he said.

“She’s made great progress in the UK and I loved working with her, we formed a great partnership as coach and athlete and she is a star of the future.

“I’m an attacking coach with a real eye for the shooting circle. I’ve come from a background of very many different diverse coaching experiences.”

Ryan will officially commence in the role on Monday 13 September and the club is now working to confirm his High Performance Team.

Pre-season will start part-time on Monday, November 15 for two weeks, before welcoming back all available athletes full-time on Monday, November 29.