DEVELOPMENT is the key word as the new OSA Recruitment Women’s League got under way at the weekend. Many squads have taken on new players drawn from the junior teams and those new to the sport.

Although NashCopy once again fields two sides, there has been a significant change in personnel.

The nine players who travelled to Rhodes as part of the Island squad have been split and mixed with the fledglings.

Former Reds captain Karen Archenoul steps down to the Whites to bring through Tracy Lewis in the setting role, leaving Karen Jehan as main setter for the Reds.

The Reds suffered a huge preseason loss when Clare Giles was injured, so island inside hitter Kat Burgess has stepped across to play opposite Jehan.

Although Burgess has briefly appeared in this position, it is largely a new assignment. Being an adaptable player, she should soon be making an impact.

NashCopy also welcome back Julia Webber who has been in the US for the past four seasons. She steps into Burgess’s shoes through the middle.

Archenoul was excited ahead of the start of the action.

‘Both teams are looking forward to the new challenges ahead of them and I think the split will make for an interesting league, although we are not expecting any trophies at the end of this season,’ she said.

Alternative Solutions Limited 1 is sad to have lost the long-serving Sheena Le Messurier and Nikki Neville, who have finally retired from the game, but delighted to have several new juniors.

The team will concentrate on building their squad this season, drawing on the experience, enthusiasm and influence of Nikki Skillen, Lyn Jordan, Michelle Oesterman and Debbie Ashford.

Val Goodwin continues in her coaching role, while training and encouraging more juniors into the game.

The ASL 2 squad have picked up two new signings but lost a major player through injury.

Silvie Evans played for the KPMG women last year and Kristin Meyer also joins the squad having played for Generali mixed team during the last few seasons.

Unfortunately setter and all-round player Virginia Alcoba is recovering from a broken leg and she will be out until December. She will be sorely missed.

The squad are being worked hard by coach Christine Martel and aiming to be more consistent this year.

NRGI are facing a challenging start to the season having lost a number of key players through injury, personal commitments or players moving on.

Coach Richard Skipper hopes to encourage more players to join the depleted squad in a rebuilding programme.

Having ended last season with some positive play, they hope to pick up where they left off and will be resolute and determined in their pre-season training.

For Savills Ladies’ first team, the loss of Louise Langlois allows Sam Le Marquand to be a regular starter. The rest of the team is unchanged and comprises setters Julie Elmy and Elizabeth Kimber, hitters Sandy Ozanne, Andi Pettitt, Ann Saunders and the ever-improving Rachel Gosling.

Savills becomes the third squad to host a second team for the season.

Coached by first-team captain Elmy, this is a positive move to encourage new players.

Clare and Michelle Green and Danielle Stevens form the core of the new Savills 2 squad, along with Elizabeth Pang who has joined the club from NRGI.

Newcomers to the sport are Jade Pearce and Gemma Coquelin, who are showing great potential in training.

The youth element is provided by newcomer Emily Kimber, who is already showing great potential as a setter and played a solid game in the recent Pepsi Junior Inter-Insular.

Another youngster, Jenny Lindfield, has transferred from ASL 2 and although currently injured brings height to the squad and will be a player to watch along with Kimber.