Have you played up???

posted August 30, 2020 by Debbie Frankenberg - viewed 148 times

Hi everyone

I just wanted to take a minute to thank all of our girls who have helped another team by playing up when their team had a bye or forfeit. The one game a day rule has impacted many of our teams this year.

Yesterday, Amanda, Kate and Sophie took up the challenge of playing in an older team. For Amanda, it was an easy transition from 13.2s to 14.2s because Amanda thrives on the challenge. Amanda and her new team mates worked well together to achieve everything I asked of them in Claire’s absence.

But for our 10 year olds, coming out of the lovely friendly Brush Farm bubble into the harsh reality of Meadowbank Park can be a very big step.

So, lets talk about our courageous 10 year olds, Kate and Sophie who took on the challenge of helping out the bigger girls. I can see that you have been listening to coach Sam because you both played well. Congratulations!

Kate seemed to fit into the 11.3s like a hand in a glove. She took charge in her game and created some strong options. For a couple of minutes, I actually thought she was part of that team until I was reminded that she was a borrowed player. WOW! Great game Kate and a win for our 11s! Well done everyone! Kate, I know that Sam gave your team homework to work on your passing. I can see that you have been practicing. You’ve got the moves too Kate! Great work!

When I got to Sophie’s game, she was feeling a little bit sick but agreed to play GS in the last quarter if I wrote a story. Sophie was our first Comets baby so, how could I refuse? Here is my story...

Sophie stepped well out of her comfort zone to play for our 12.5s yesterday. It took a lot of courage and a tiny bit of bribery (this story) before Sophie would play. Goodness gracious me … Sophie quickly forgot that she was in an older team and did a couple of great drives to the ball. Then … she shot a fabulous goal. Woo Hoo! Not only was Sophie’s confidence boosted, but it had a ripple effect. Sophie did what other great GS’s do … she drew those big defenders off so that Nasia could score a few more goals. When I told the opposition coach (one of my 15 Reps) that Sophie was only 10, Abi said “she’s very good!”. Sophie … if Abi makes a mistake, she has to do lots of push ups. Abi doesn’t make mistakes so you must be very good! Thanks for letting me be your specialist coach yesterday Sophie and thank you for having a go and helping out our 12.5s. You showed lots of courage and Mummy, Daddy, Sam and I are super proud of you. Sophie … that’s the end of my story about you but it’s just the beginning of your netball story.

I got a valuable reminder yesterday thanks to Sophie. I was reminded about how important it is for a coach to build trust with players and never to take that trust for granted, irrespective of their age.

Every one of our players is different and they all learn and develop at a different rate. Every one of our coaches (me included) is at a different stage in their learning development. Yesterday provided me with an opportunity to check that the environment was safe, our girls were supported, build trust and help develop some confidence and pride. A great coach recognises that winning isn’t always the objective.

Thank you to every one of our girls who accepts the challenge of playing in a higher age/grade team. It takes a lot of guts and confidence to put yourself in a new team and have a go!

The same can be said for all our girls who stand for Rep selection. The ones who don’t get selected show great resilience. If that’s your child … be exceptionally proud.

Debbie

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