England Netball’s Regional development strategy: from grass roots to greatness
How do you develop players to reach their full potential and rise up the ranks to become elite players of the future? The Excel Pathway is England Netball’s strategy for development of players to be the next generation of internationals and to enable England Netball to achieve its goal to be world no. 1 by 2015.
The National Excel Pathway consists of National Talent programmes for U17 and U19 players that lead into Excel Plus, the U21 and National Squad programmes.England Netball has nine Regional divisions, each one implementing the Excel Pathway across its own distinct region of the country and headed by a full-time Regional Manager and support staff. The aim is to develop netball across England in many ways, such as by:
- increasing participation in netball
- talent identification and development
- helping clubs to develop and grow
- educating the netball community with coaching and umpiring courses
- forging links between communities, schools and clubs
- running competitions and leagues that feed into the new Regional and National structure
This week we talk to Sonia Robinson, Regional Development Officer for the London & South East Region, about her role within England Netball’s Excel Pathway programme.
What does being a Regional Development Officer involve?
I am the first point of contact for the region and will hopefully be able to answer the varied queries that come through by e-mail or telephone and/or direct people to the most appropriate person. I plan and co-ordinate UK Coaching Certificate courses, which includes the development of tutors and assessors. Assisting clubs in achieving Clubmark is a main part of the role, which I do with County Development Officers. I also maintain and update the regional website, using the services of a web company. All regional competitions and events are within my remit, and I work closely with the Competition Group to ensure they are successful, especially the Regional League, which is the highest level of competition in the region. This is just a taster, as my role is wide and varied – from organisation of High 5 and Youth Umpire Award Orientation workshops to planning the London Mini Games. My counterparts in the 8 other regions do some of the same things, but it does depend on how the region operates as to the exact role of a Regional Co-ordinator. (My job title was changed to Regional Co-ordinator in July 2009, as it was felt that this description fits the role more appropriately).
How successful have the Regional Leagues been since their inception in 2006?
The Regional League has been extremely successful since it started in 2006/2007. A number of teams have gone from strength to strength in the Premier League as a result of their participation and success at regional level. The region had a Regional Clubs Forum last year to obtain clubs views and opinions about the league, and one major decision for 2009/10 was to play indoors (home and away), rather than at central venues. A review will be carried out at the end of the season to gauge how successful this has been, but indications so far are good.
Tell us more about the Satellite & County Academies and how they lead into elite netball.
Satellite & County Academies are not part of my Regional Co-ordinator role, as I administer the Satellite Academies as a volunteer for Middlesex Netball. Satellite Academy is the first rung on the Excel pathway ladder, County Academy being the second step. The Excel pathway leads all the way up to playing for England at elite level. A number of successful elite athletes from the Middlesex area started in Satellite or County Academy, including Kadeen Corbin, Rachel Mulloy and Danielle McFarlane, since I have been administrator.
How difficult is it to find players to fill the academies?
It is not difficult at all. We are looking for potentially talented players, not just numbers, to attend the academies.
What about funding for the academies – is it all from England Netball or does each region have to partially fund the programme?
Academies should be self-funding. Athletes pay to attend trials and the academies. Most schools have Gifted & Talented funds to subsidise any athletes who may have difficulty paying. The Middlesex Academies are heavily subsidised by Middlesex County Netball Association, but I don’t know how other counties or regions operate their academies. Neither the region nor England Netball provide funding for any of the academies within the region.
What do you enjoy most about your job and what is the most difficult part?
I enjoy the contact with volunteers and seeing people participating in an activity. I can’t really think of any difficult parts.
Do you think there has been any increase in participation in netball since England Netball launched its 10-1-1 campaign?
Definitely, but I’m not sure of the exact figures. Affiliation figures have gone up from just over 60,000 to approximately 70,000 as at the end of August 2009, when they were last measured.
What else can be done to raise the profile of netball at grass roots level?
We have a network of Development Officers in each county who do a lot of work at grass roots levels. If people don’t know who their County Development Officer is, then they should access the regional website: www.londonandsoutheastnetball.co.uk
Netball Match: Thanks Sonia for taking the time to do this interview. If you’d like to ask Sonia a question, please post a comment below.
If you want to know about netball in your region, whether it’s about getting back to netball, coaching or umpiring, contact your Regional unit for more information. What do you think of netball in your region? If you’ve been through any part of a regional talent development programme, what did you think?
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