Rogers sets the tone ahead of Championship Women’s season opener
Mason Rogers says the professionalism, talent and long-term vision at McKinnon made the club the right fit, as the Cougars Championship Women prepare to open their 2026 Big V season on Sunday afternoon at GESAC.
McKinnon begins its campaign against Sherbrooke Suns, with Rogers taking charge of the group for the first time after arriving at the club ahead of the 2026 season.
“When I spoke with Anita Ledger and learned more about McKinnon’s vision, I was genuinely blown away by the level of professionalism and the clarity around where the club wants to build and grow,” Rogers said.
“At this stage, I was looking for support, stability and a strong foundation, and I’ve definitely found that at McKinnon.”
The appeal of the role extended beyond stepping into a senior coaching position, with Rogers identifying the club’s existing talent and long-term pathway as key factors.
“What also really stood out to me is the talent already within the program,” he said.
“There’s a very promising cohort of athletes here, and I’m excited by the opportunity to help build a clear pathway where McKinnon players can continue to develop and, if they want to, progress into successful professional careers.”
Those early impressions have been reinforced throughout pre season, with Rogers highlighting both the group’s talent and its competitive edge.
“My first impressions of the playing group have been extremely positive,” he said.
“The level of talent is obvious, but just as importantly, the level of buy in has been exceptional.”
That depth is anchored by Emily Suckling, whose shooting and two way impact set the tone for the group.
Rogers is also reunited with several players from his time at Bulleen, with Amy Baum, Jennie Rintala, Maighan Hedge and Mia Kellock bringing championship pedigree, experience and a strong understanding of the standards required to compete at the top level.
Around that core, McKinnon has built a balanced group featuring Annabel Fitter, Sarae Beveridge and Romy Price, as the roster continues to take shape alongside two imports still to be announced.
Rogers also pointed to development players Eloise Leonard, Zoe Johnson and Nat Keane as important contributors within the program and its future.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have three outstanding development players this season, all of whom are tracking strongly toward full roster spots in the coming years,” he said.
On court, Rogers expects a fast paced, free flowing style built around pick and roll, supported by improved shooting across the roster. Defensively, the focus is clear — establish a tough, disciplined identity from the outset.
“It’s no secret that our system is built heavily around pick and roll,” he said.
“We’ve also been fortunate to recruit a lot of shooting this off season, which should allow us to play with more pace and more flow than last year.”
“Defensively, the message remains very clear: we want to be the toughest team in the league.”
That identity will be tested immediately against a Sherbrooke side Rogers expects to be among the competition’s strongest.
“Sherbrooke have recruited a very strong roster, and with Matt Shannahan as a very experienced coach, I expect they’ll be one of the teams to beat this season,” he said.
“They’ve got great size and length across the board, so we’ll need to be sharp against their switching and make sure we don’t allow ourselves to get bogged down offensively.”
While the Cougars will be slightly undermanned for the opener, Rogers sees opportunity across the group.
“We’ll be slightly undermanned, but that also creates a fantastic opportunity for others to step up,” he said.
“It gives players right across the roster — including our development players — the chance to play important roles and make meaningful contributions.”
As McKinnon prepares to tip off its 2026 campaign, the focus is simple.
“More than anything, I want to see a group that competes, plays with toughness, and embraces the moment,” Rogers said.
“Round 1 at home is a great test for us, and it’s a chance to set the tone for the season.”
The McKinnon Cougar Championship Women take on Sherbrooke Suns this Sunday at GESAC, with tip off from 2:00pm. We’d love to see the Cougars community there to help the group open the season on home court with strong support.
McKinnon Cougars Championship Women Roster Sunday 29th March
2 Amy Baum
3 Emily Suckling
4 Maighan Hedge
5 Romy Price
6 Sarae Beveridge
12 Natalie Keane
15 Mia Kellock
24 Annabel Fitter
25 Jennie Rintala
33 Zoe Johnson
43 Eloise Leonard
Head Coach Mason Rogers
Assistant Coach Thomas Pitts
Assistant Coach Teagan Barry
Development Coach Ellen Parry