Having played over 200 games for the Magpies, Taverna is eager to see the side progress from an already successful 2023 season and help develop the young talent at the club.
“I think being in the side last year and just knowing no-one had put their hand up to do it again this year (motivated me),” Taverna said upon being announced as coach.
“I guess I knew that we had the talent there. We’ve got some amazing juniors that we want to develop through, so I just thought I would give it a crack.”
Taverna will assume the role with a strong coaching pedigree behind her, taking Moama’s under-17 side to the top of the mountain in 2022.
“I coached (in 2022), and we made it all the way and won the grand final,” she said.
“I think we finished fourth on the ladder and beat every team in the final series that we haven’t previously beaten throughout the whole series.
“I actually have some of the girls from that team that will now be in the A/B squad, which is really exciting as well. I’ve sort of followed them through, which is good.”
As playing coach, Taverna will be supported by Carri Carter, who will be at the helm of the B-grade and under-17 sides, with the three teams forming a wider squad to compete for selection in the top grade.
Heading into next season, Taverna has no doubt her experience as coach of the under-17 squad will serve her well.
“Honestly, I think it’s made me have the belief that anything is possible,” she said.
“You might go into the finals series not being the position on the ladder you want to be, but you can still sort of come away with it.
“I think that it’s good motivation from that season, and (I’ve learned) also just how to manage my players and things like that.”
Taking over from Jodie Lake, Taverna said she had spoken to the former mentor about the role but also about the star defender’s plans for the upcoming campaign.
“I’ve had a few conversations with ‘Jodes’, just more in terms of where she’s going to be at,” she said.
“She’s actually got to have a knee surgery, so we’re not actually sure if she’ll be taking the court next year. She’s just going to see how she recovers from that and sort of go from there.”
While it’s a long time until grand final day next season, Taverna said there was no questioning what the group thought was possible.
“Everyone is thinking really positively,” she said.
“We’ve obviously got a lot of those young girls coming through that need that development time and things like that, so we’re really excited to get them through and get them on the court.
“I think we’re all thinking anything is possible, and we definitely think we can go all the way next year.”
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