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Nicole Richardson appointed Magpies netball coach

Former assistant coach of the Magpies, Nicole Richardson has been named head coach for 2021 Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Collingwood have promoted former assistant Nicole Richardson to replace head coach Rob Wright for the 2021 Super Netball season.

The Magpies dumped Wright after a horror season that saw them only crack one win to finish dead last.

The poor season came after finishing fourth in 2019 and playing finals.

Richardson held the fort temporarily in 2019 when Wright lost his mother and did enough to convince the Magpies she was ready for the top job.

Her appointment follows that of Megan Anderson as Queensland Firebirds coach.

A former netball and softball international, Richardson has coached at representative level for the past eight years and was head coach of Netball Australia's Centre for Excellence.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to drive the Collingwood program forward," Richardson said in a statement.

"After four seasons we are emerging from our establishment phase as a netball operation and it's now time to make our mark.

"A tough campaign this year taught us so much and has placed us in a position to make rapid progress in 2021."

Jane Woodlands-Thompson, Collingwood's GM of Women's Sport, believes Richardson has the makings of an outstanding new head coach.

"'Richo' has a wonderful warm way about her but also great steel and a firm picture of what she wants," Woodlands-Thompson said.

"Her experience of team dynamics, personal qualities and technical expertise make for what we believe will be a wonderful coach of Collingwood."