Photo courtesy of Lochnagarth via www.flickr.com

A few days ago Netball Australia’s CEO, Kate Palmer, argued that female athletes need to stop blaming the media for lack of coverage of female sports and look to their sport’s governing body to redress the problem. Her comments follow an article by Melissa Barbieri, captain of the Australian Women’s soccer team (aka the Matildas), complaining about hypocrisy in the media. I agree that each sport is responsible for building its own brand and making itself newsworthy. But what happens when you do that, as I believe netball has done, and your sport is still ignored by the media? As I’ve argued before netball seems invisible to mainstream media.

As Kate Palmer points out the ANZ Championship is a great product; it’s the best netball tournament in the world (or in their words the hottest game in town). But, last Saturday, the day before the Grand Final in Adelaide, which reportedly sold out in 12 minutes (we can but dream of such things in the UK), coverage of the match in Adelaide’s biggest newspaper was bumped off the front page for a story about the resignation of an AFL coach. Needless to say, Aussie Rules footie is important in Australia but I bet that Australian netball fans are just as passionate about netball and surely on this occasion the netball story should have been the lead story.

It might not be the media’s job to give all sports equal coverage but wouldn’t you expect all mainstream sports to be given coverage proportionate to its fan base and level of participation? Isn’t it the media’s job to attempt to cover the sports that are of interest to its readers/viewers/listeners. Netball has done a lot in recent years to modernise (some would say “sex up”) its image and make itself seem more attractive. But you can only go so far down that path before you stop focusing on the beauty of the game and the great skill of the athletes and obsess too much about image (check out the American Lingerie Football League for a nightmare version of the future for female sports). Netballers, and no doubt the Matildas and other female athletes want more recognition and for their sport to be taken seriously. Female athletes also provide good role models for young girls who need more encouragement to participate in sport and to continue to play sport past their teenage years.

The truth is, there is a bias towards male-dominated sports (how else do you explain the intense coverage of games like snooker and darts in the UK) and there are plenty of articles and  research that argue the same point. The Matildas are dedicated athletes and so far their achievements outstrip those of their male counterparts. Yes, I know it’s a lot harder for the Socceroos to shine on the world stage of men’s soccer. But Palmer also says there’s more interest in the Socceroos than the Matildas because the men are high profile, international athletes. I imagine that soccer is pretty low down the pecking order in Australia as it has to compete with rugby union, rugby league, AFL and cricket. Considering their respective achievements to date, why do the Socceroos have a high profile but the Matildas barely get a mention until they win a major tournament?

It would be interesting to see what coverage is given to the upcoming Test Series in Australia when the Australian Netball Diamonds take on Jamaica and the Silver Ferns. Top class netball involving 3 of the 4 highest ranking teams in the world.

If netball was a male-dominated sport it would get significantly media coverage. No question. I guess then my question is, what more does netball need to do to get the attention it deserves?

Australia v England Netball Test – Adelaide, October 2008 Photo courtesy of Paddynapper on Flickr.com

Any day now the Australian Diamonds Netball team will be winging their way to the UK for Test Series against Scotland and England. There will be two Tests against Scotland on 14^th & 16^th February, followed by three Tests against England on 19^th, 21^st & 23^rd February.

Coach Norma Plummer has drafted in some younger and less experienced girls, some of whom will be earning their first international caps, as the Diamonds will be without 5 of their more senior players. Four of the players (Sharelle McMahon, Catherine Cox, Julie Corletto and Susan Fuhrmann) are recovering from either knee or ankle surgery. Despite their lack of international experience, Plummer is confident the youngsters she’s chosen can deliver the goods, even against a more seasoned England team with the likes of Geva Mentor, Sonia Mkoloma, Karen Atkinson and Pamela Cookey in its line-up. Players for both the home sides already have a number of Superleague games under their belt and should be more used to the rigours of elite netball than their Australian counterparts at this stage.

Not only are the Tests crucial preparation for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October but there also valuable world ranking points at stake. Scotland are currently ranked 13^th and will obviously be hoping to improve on that and Australia currently have a tight grip on the no. 1 spot. England are ranked 3^rd, but increasingly showing signs they can finally break the stranglehold the antipodean netball teams have on the no. 1 position.

Sue Hawkins’ England team will no doubt go in to these Tests with a measure of confidence that they know how to handle the Aussies. They beat both the Diamonds & the Silver Ferns in the opening rounds of the World Netball Series last October and many of England’s players have had a taste of netball Southern-hemisphere style as they competed for teams in the last ANZ Championships, with Mentor and Mkoloma particularly, proving their worth. As part of a successful World 7 team, they played against the Ferns and the Diamonds back in August last year and showed that they can shut down the world’s best shooters.

Scotland’s national squad is comprised of players mainly from the Glasgow Wildcats Superleague team and both are coached by Denise Holland. The Wildcats are having a tough time this season and have yet to secure a victory in the Superleague. International competition will be even more intense and it’s safe to say that the Scots will have a harder time against the Diamonds than England will.

With so many jewels missing from her crown, will Norma’s new Diamonds get the chance to sparkle?

Frozen raspberries. Picture courtesy of epSos.de on Flickr.com

Hands up if you’ve had too many mince pies, roast potatoes or helpings of Christmas pudding over the holidays. Or maybe, too much of all three. Is that first training session or netball match looming and you’re still feeling sloth-like after all that turkey and stuffing?

It’s time to give your tired and overworked digestive system a much-needed rest. Improve your general well-being by having simpler and lighter meals over the next few days at least.

To get back to a more healthy and balanced diet, try eating more of the following:

• Fruit (fresh or dried) and vegetables (the more raw vegetables the better)
• salads
• fish & lean meat
• bread, cereals, rice & pasta (try the wholemeal options sometimes)
• beans, pulses, nuts & seeds
• naturally low fat dairy products

Photo courtesy of ChuckAitch on Flickr.com

Coaching netball can be immensely rewarding for many reasons. You are helping players to reach their full potential, whether you coach elite players or primary school kids, and at the same time giving something back to netball. Also, if your playing career has taken a back seat you still get to stay involved with the sport you love.

Coaching requires plenty of enthusiasm and dedication but you also need to be organised, willing to keep learning and to be a good communicator so it’s not going to appeal to everyone. This week, we feature an exclusive interview with one such individual who found coaching a natural fit. Emma Blackmore is the Regional Talent Coach for England Netball’s London & South East region. Her role includes mentoring other coaches and further developing the skills of the region’s most talented athletes.

How did you get into coaching and how long have you been doing it?

I first got involved in coaching at my club when I was 16. My coach encouraged me to get involved with the junior section and I loved it. I then went on to get my coaching qualifications and it went from there. I continued to coach juniors and adults throughout college alongside playing for County and club.. I went to Bath University and completed a undergraduate degree and Master degrees in Sports Coaching. I kept up the coaching whilst at uni, and tried to juggle as many coaching jobs and opportunities as possible. Whilst I was at uni I became particularly interested in the talented and high performance side of Netball, so would go along to observe other coaches and volunteer whenever I could. During my final year at Uni I was asked to be an apprentice coach with Team Bath Netball Talent League Squad. That really propelled me forward and gave me some fantastic experiences within a high performance competitive environment. I worked alongside a great coach who really helped me with my confidence, as well as giving me new ideas. That experience really helped me land my job as a Regional Talent Coach.

How do you juggle having a social life with playing netball and all your coaching roles with the L & SE Region?

What social life?! Only joking! It’s quite difficult to establish a routine and maintain a steady social life in this role because of the evening and weekend work the job demands. I don’t begrudge it at all but my philosophy since starting this job and moving to the London area has been ‘work hard-play harder!’ Luckily I have some great friends who have been used to me muttering the lines “I can’t I have Netball!” They haven’t deserted me yet! In terms of playing Netball I’ve decided to take a step back from playing competitive netball and have joined a local league side which plays during the week. My weekends are precious so when I’m not working I try to get a break from netball to keep me fresh for the job. It really helps to have a complete break from time to time- I realise how much I love it when I dive back in again!

How did it feel to be Asst Coach to Brunel Hurricanes and win the National Talent League undefeated?

Having been at Bath University and being involved with Team Bath, being appointed as Brunel Hurricanes assistant coach was a complete change of scenery and a massive challenge. I can honestly say I loved every minute of it. The girls were fantastic and I’ve made a great friend in Anita Hollman, the Head Coach. We both knew we had a massive task on our hands to bring the squad of ‘rejects’ together, but I have never worked with athletes who have pulled together and wanted something so much. They really did epitomise what being a team is to me, and they are a great example to any squad out there. Myself, Anita and the squad approached each game as a separate hurdle to over come, never really looking at the big picture of winning the title. But as the season went on, and we jumped each hurdle successfully we realised that were in with a real chance. Ironically the final game of the season was against my old squad Team Bath. We had to win the game to guarantee winning the title. I have never been so nervous in my life! The girls were amazing and kept it together for the whole match. It was a different story on the bench! When the final whistle went we all leaped into the air in complete disbelief and excitement that we had won! That has certainly been the highlight of my coaching career so far, and a moment that will stay with me forever. Myself and Anita have just picked our squad for the new season as Surrey Storm. Our aim this season is to go out and bring the title back for another year! There is a completely different dynamic to the squad, we have picked a lot of youngsters who have come through the Region’s Excel Pathway so it should be interesting. I’m excited and can’t wait for the season to start!

Briefly describe a typical session aimed at elite athletes

A typical session for my elite girls will start with an intense but fun warm-up. We normally play a fun game (not netball game) to switch on the mind as well as warm up the muscles. I find having a bit of fun at the beginning relaxes the girls and sets a friendly and comfortable tone for the rest of the session. I need the girls to feel comfortable because the session will involve stretching themselves and performing outside their comfort zone- they need to feel that they can make mistakes in that environment, we learn from our mistakes and this is key for me. After the warm up I normally go into some high intensity fitness work involving the ball. I try to mix up passing and fitness activities to keep it interesting. Passing and fitness always needs to be worked on so I try to nail that in the first part of the session. In my elite sessions of late I have been taking my girls right back to basics, so we really home in on things like turning in the air effectively, passing appropriately etc. The elite sessions are really individualised so we work on whatever the player needs at the time. I always end with match play- the players need to be given the chance to put into practice what we have covered in a high intensity game.

What do you enjoy most about coaching?

Working with keen young players who want to learn. The best part is seeing the player take on board what you’ve covered in a session and apply it seamlessly in a game! Another really rewarding part of coaching is seeing the player figure things out for themselves. I try to empower the players- at the end of the day I can’t be on the court catching and passing for them, so they need to be making their own decisions and feel confident in their ability.

What are the most difficult or challenging aspects of your job?

The single most challenging aspect of my job is the travelling. I have to cover the whole London and South East region, and although this is a relatively small region compared to some, the sheer density of it, and the road networks and traffic make it a nightmare! There have been days when I have completed a whole lap of the M25, and spent up to 6 hours in the car yet I have only completed 4 hours coaching! Madness, but the rewards, the players and coaches I work with make up for that tenfold!

What is your ultimate goal?

I would love to be involved with the U19 and U17 National squads one day. I love working with that age group as they are so keen to learn and are still so passionate about Netball. I’m still young myself so realise I have a long way to go before I reach that point in my career. In the meantime I will keep gaining as many experiences at the highest level as I can, continue to reflect on my own coaching, and continue to learn from others to ensure that if that ultimate opportunity arises I’m the best person for the job.

Any top tips for aspiring coaches?

I learned to coach through observing and speaking to other coaches. Don’t be afraid to stick your neck out and ask if you can attend sessions. I’m finding that coaches are a lot more willing to share their practices and ideas with others now. In my role I have an open door policy where any coach regardless of experience can come along to my sessions and watch. I may not be the greatest example but if I have coaches go away with just one new idea then that’s great! I think the coaching qualifications are important and give you a good foundation coaching knowledge but it isn’t until you are out on the court do you really learn how to coach. Try to throw yourself into lots of different coaching environments, and coach out of your comfort zone. If you accept that you don’t know everything and you never will, you’ll be a great coach because you’ll be constantly looking for new ideas, and new ways to improve your athletes. Your athletes can only benefit from this way of thinking, and thus both of you will reap the rewards.

Netball Match: Thanks Emma for taking the time to give this interview. If you’d like to ask Emma a question, please post a comment below.

What do you think makes a good coach? Do you have any coaching tips you’d like to share?

Samoa sub with WD paddle. Photo courtesy of Steve from www.playnetball.com

The inaugural World Netball Series featured a modified version of netball, or Fast Net as IFNA calls it. There are hopes that this version of netball will help the bid for netball to be included in the Olympics, although it won’t make the cut for 2012.

IFNA promised a ‘fast, ferocious and vibrant competition’ and it probably delivered on that score, but isn’t netball already fast and dynamic?  For all its innovations, can the Fast Net style of netball compete with the thrilling encounters provided by international tests, the ANZ Championships or the Co-operative Superleague?  There were many drastic rule changes, but will any of them be adopted into the traditional form of netball? Some of the main differences between both forms of the game were:

• shorter quarters – instead of the usual 15 minutes, quarters were only 6 minutes long so each team had to play their best netball from the outset, conditions similar to playing in a regular 0ne-day tournament. This can lead to rather frantic, error-strewn play as teams try to quickly find their rhythm. However, a regular netball match is only one hour long so is there any real need to shorten the game?
• double points for shots scored from outside the circle – this change certainly got the crowd excited as every time anyone got the ball on the circle edge, whether they were a shooter or not, the crowd was shouting “shoot, shoot!” A fun concept but would it be taking netball back too close to its basketball roots?
  
• Power Play quarter – the idea of doubling any points scored in this quarter also livened up the game but if both team use this option at the same time, the potential bonuses for either team could be negated.
• rolling subs – this rule change will probably find its way into the regular form of netball, at least at the top levels. Some elite coaches already feel the current rules on substitutions are too restrictive.

There are already plans afoot to make this an annual competition and Manchester will again host the series late next year. However, will there be space for a regular competition based on this new format in an increasingly crowded netball calendar? Also,  it’s debatable whether, after a gruelling playing season,  the top nations will send their best players to compete at Fast Net. Perhaps, the competition should be opened up to other nations, giving lower-ranked countries greater opportunity to play against tougher opposition. There could be some surprise upsets which could help to raise the profile of the game at home for some of the smaller netballing nations.

Does radically changing the format of any game attract new fans and participants or just serve to confuse those unfamiliar with the game? Which of the Fast Net rules, if any, should be incorporated in the regular game? What’s your verdict on the recent World Netball Series?

Picture courtesy of Lochnagarth

This post was going to be about the recent Co-Operative World Netball Series tournament but after reading some rather ill-advised comments about netball we felt the need to post a response. A keen-eyed netball fan spotted the article in last Friday’s edition of the London Evening Standard, written by respected journalist and BBC TV presenter, John Inverdale. The online version can be found here, just after the piece about Wasps Rugby Club.

Credit where credit’s due; Mr Inverdale is at least writing about netball, and in an established newspaper. However, his comments have landed him in hot water with netball fans around the globe. Judging by his comments, he’s never actually played netball before and he’s all but branded it as being dull. Apparently, it just too easy to score in netball and this makes the game ‘repetitious and unfulfilling’. These comments followed an afternoon spent watching the top 6 teams in the world play a drastically modified version of the game at the World Netball Series in Manchester.

He had the privilege of watching some of the best players in the world. They make it look easy to score but it’s not. Ask any netball player. Try scoring a goal when you’ve got the likes of England’s Geva Mentor or Sonia Mkoloma or Australia’s Susan Fuhrmann towering over you, even if you are as tall as NZ’s Irene van Dyk or Jamaica’s Romelda Aiken. Watching the ball go through the net when your team scores is fantastic especially as you know how difficult it can be in a tight game just to get the ball into the circle.

So, John, you should at least try the game before you dismiss it. We suggest you call up England Netball or one of the UK’s 9 Superleague teams (or even your local netball club) and ask to join in one of their training sessions and play a practice match and see how you get on…THEN you can talk about how easy it is to score a goal. We recommend that you take your own kit in case they don’t have a dress to fit you.

Oh, and don’t forget to bring a BBC TV camera crew with you as we’d all love to see you play!

We have read some lively comments on our Facebook page as to the value of Mr Inverdale’s opinions, but what do you think? Please leave a comment on this blog or on Facebook on how we can change such lazy perceptions of our great game.