The cancellation of this year's Ovens and Murray netball season has almost been a blessing in disguise for Olivia Sinclair.
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The Corowa-Rutherglen midcourt player is recovering from a shoulder reconstruction after going under the knife five weeks ago.
Sinclair dislocated her shoulder three months ago and decided she was better off undergoing the procedure last month to recover in time for the 2021 season.
"It was just general wear and tear," she said.
"After talking to my physio and surgeon it was probably just best to get it done.
"I was looking at the calendar and thinking I needed it done ASAP for next year.
"The first 10 days were really tough, but I'm travelling well now."
She's set to start strengthening her shoulder this week and is hoping for it to be back to full capacity by late February.
While she was told the reconstruction wasn't urgent, Sinclair said other life factors came into play with the decision.
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"My physio said it was something I could get through another season with, but I finish university in 12-months," she said.
"No time was going to be great, but I thought I could get it done now before I possibly start full-time work."
Sinclair is in the midst of studying to become a speech pathologist.
The A-grade Roo is also set to coach the club's under-17s next season, after previously holding the role for two years with the under-16s.
She said it's an exciting time for up-and-coming junior netballers in Corowa.
"Georgie (Bruce) has made some really good groundwork in our community with getting younger girls through and I think we're starting to see some really good progress from that," Sinclair said.
"Corowa's a little bit unfortunate in that we don't have a rep club to feed off.
"Now hopefully getting the Corowa and District Netball Association started up, we're starting to get a lot more talent through the door.
"It's starting to get really exciting for us in terms of junior development."
The under-17s have just finished their trials for next season, with pre-season to start officially in January.
Georgie Bruce is set to remain at the helm of the Ovens and Murray A-grade side again next year.
Corowa-Rutherglen finished the 2019 season in second place after Wangaratta became back-to-back premiers.
