Baby boon for West Coast Fever

The daily routine at West Coast Fever now involves a healthy dose of cuddle time alongside the tactics and fitness sessions, after coach Stacey Marinkovich welcomed her first child last month.

The 38-year-old returned to work shortly after giving birth in December and says things are back to business as usual at the 2018 Super Netball grand finalists - mostly.

"Since coming back after Christmas, I've been in the normal routine, been at all training sessions and taken my role as head coach as what I would usually," Marinkovich said.

"It's just probably the timing around the training sessions where I've been able to do a little bit of work at home.

"My individual meetings with players have been at home, which they're absolutely loving.

"What is usually a 15-minute conversation ends up being an hour-and-a-half, because they want to have their cuddle time and play their auntie role."

Marinkovich hopes the presence of a baby will help create a more homely environment that the players can thrive in.

The tactic has worked well at AFL club West Coast Eagles, who have actively created a family environment to help give players a better life balance.

"The thing that has changed for me is the perspective of having a child," Marinkovich said.

"It's actually been embraced by the players, they want him around the team. It gives them a really relaxed perspective on things as well.

"I don't have to leave my personal life at home, because my family is part of the Fever family, and that's the way the organisation is helping me.

"The club has been fantastic, the way they have been able to support me. I'm still living my passion on the court with the girls, but I've also got a different passion away from the court now. To have that opportunity has been fantastic."

Marinkovich will be hoping her baby boy's presence can help the team bounce back from last season's sixth-place finish after a campaign that yielded just two wins and three draws from 14 games.