Half way...

Well it has been a while since I have blogged. Time has just got away from me!! No excuses- I apologize and will be back on track for April, I promise.

So since I last wrote the ANZ Championship has started and it is well and truly on it's way! By this weekend the Swifts have reached the half way mark. Wow!! Hasn't that flown!
Well the beginning on the season wasn't exactly how the Swifts would have liked it to be, with 2 losses from 3 games. The 2011 season has seen us come out of the blocks a little slower then we'd have liked- and definitely not what the coach likes!!
But be rest assured, we are addressing everything within our control and I think we will see a more determined Swifts in the second half of the season.
I guess the one positive way to look at it is- we lost those 2 games at the beginning unlike last year when we bowed out in straight sets in the finals (believe me- I can only just joke about it, it was shattering for a long time after).

We are as I write this on our way home from Perth. Half way through our first of two "super rounds". This super round is a little shorter, 3 games in 7 days (we have 4 games in 11 days next month- with 2 trips to NZ in there!). It is a little different to any previous years or competitions I have been involved with, as we have a BIG focus on recovery. There is not much time for training during this week. We just need to trust we've done the work prior, and get our bodies ready for each match.
After every game the body is always sore, bruises start popping up- so imagine it after 3 games in a week! So that's why recovery is vital in the super rounds. Ice baths, swim sessions, stretching, light runs, and massages are/have been on the agenda.

We have a tough battle this Sunday v Firebirds. The Firebirds sit comfortable on the top of the ladder undefeated. We hope this Sunday we can change that. We will need to be on our best to compete with them as they are playing great Netball as a team.
Expect a great game of Netball in front of a sell out Sydney crowd. I love playing in front of a home crowd- we have amazing support from our fans!

So off the Netball court, but still on it... The Susan Pratley Netball Clinics have been in full swing the past 6 weeks. It has seen me travel around NSW. I have seen hundreds of kids showing off their Netball skills- and wow!! there has been some fantastic skills. The future of Australian Netball is in great hands. Having seen the great skills and number of kids playing and enjoying Netball makes me very proud to represent Australia in this fantastic sport. I also loved that the kids have taught me some new ball skills too- keeping me on my toes!
I think I have recruited some new supporters for the Swifts too! There can never be enough!

Ok, well that's it for me, our plane is about to touch down. Home to a yummy cooked meal, a little play and cuddle with my puppy, and an early night. Followed by a day of recovery tomorrow before our match Sunday- SEE YOU THERE!!

Comments

[The Brooks Family]

Soooooo sorry you've missed out on a cap for the Worlds.
You'll be missed.
Take care and have a well deserved rest.
xo