So many close games, so many “upsets” and I think trying to predict winners each round this year is the most difficult of all the ANZ Championship seasons. Which is fantastic for the sport of netball; each game is hotly contested and adds to the excitement of the sport and competition. For the players, there are no easy weeks; we need to be switched on every single game, every single quarter.
This is what has made the NSW Swifts season so far somewhat difficult to judge. Going into Round Six we are two wins and two losses which is not a bad position to be in considering the season. But what has been frustrating as a player is the inconsistencies we have displayed. We played some great netball in the first two rounds, but then let it slip for 5-10 mins and then the game was all but done. This is what I mean by every single quarter, every single play is important in this competition. The calibre of players means if you have a lapse the opponent is ready to pounce and take control of the game. There is no room for such big lapses in 60 minutes of netball.
Before going into the bye weekend we started to find our feet. We had two tough matches against WBOP Magic and the QLD Firebirds and managed to click together as a unit on the court and come up with two wins. It was a great confidence boost and created a great vibe around the Club.
We’ve all had a refreshing weekend off, I managed to get out to country NSW and conduct some Susan Pratley Netball Clinics. I always find this so rewarding to be able to go out and inspire and encourage kids to get active, pick up the netball and dream of playing for their state or country. The kids are always fantastic!
And now it’s back to business for the Swifts as we prepare for the Pulse this Sunday at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre!
Hope to see you there!
]]>As I sit in the hotel room in Adelaide writing this, I will be honest, starting to think about the first whistle tomorrow sends the butterflies crazy in my stomach. All the preparation and time spent training on court and in the gym and it's finally here, you can't help but think have I done enough?
Every team at some point makes the cliche statement 'we are going to be stronger and faster and smarter than the year before' and we do put our hearts and souls into every training session, working harder and harder. And it makes you think are other teams doing something different to have that edge on their competitors?
In today's competition, every team has in place a solid strength and conditioning program, a team of expert coaches to help with every aspect of the game, video and performance analysts looking over every bit of video and statistical data on individual players and teams throughout the ANZ Championship. So with all this at our disposal, the team best prepared mentally and physically is the team that uses these training tools to the best of their ability and to some degree are taken out of their comfort zone to adapt to new practices and techniques and are willing to try new things.
This is often hard as a player who has been involved at the elite level for so long, and believe me I'm speaking from experience, it's hard to get out of your comfort zone and strip yourself down and rebuild. This is what has happened to me during this pre-season.
It's no secret we have a new look Swifts side for 2012, we have five new players and a new coaching staff. With these changes comes new perspectives and new programs. Doing something different at training or in the gym can be daunting, but being able to trust the program and open yourself up to new ideas, will ultimately make you a better player.
I have had a lot of changes to adjust to in the past six months, the most obvious being shooting partner for six years, Cath Cox's decision to play with the West Coast Fever. We knew each others game inside out, and we, to an extent, relied on this throughout the season. But in the nature of sport, teams change and you need to adjust. I wish Cath the best of luck in Perth (obviously not the best of luck when she plays the Swifts, but against the other franchises!) :)
The changes this year have definitely taken me out of my comfort zone, but by doing so they have changed me as a player. I have enjoyed the challenges and the different dynamics in the Swifts shooting circle during the pre-season. I, along with Carla (Dziwoki), Amy (Wild) and Kim (Borger) have relished the opportunity to step up and the opportunities to push ourselves to even greater heights. Belief and trust in each other is reallyimportant at this level and I believe that as a shooting circle we have the goods and are ready to take on the defenders in the ANZ Championship.
So while I reflect on the changes and challenges that I have faced during the past six months, I must now turn my focus to the 2012 ANZ Championship season and going out and playing for the NSW Swifts. Playing for this great team is a privilege and something not to be taken for granted. So when I run out on court tomorrow, I will be running out there for the 111,000+ Netball NSW registered players and I hope I do every single one of them proud.
Go Swifts!
]]>Pre-season matches have started, with the Swifts hosting the Melbourne Vixens for a weekend of games in February; to say our supporters are excited is an understatement! In a first for the Swifts, we held our first hitout of 2012 at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre in front of an impressive and excited 1000+ NSW Swifts members and netball lovers.
When we ran out onto our home court, the Swifties got a hit of the nervous butterflies as we realised that the season was so close, and also for me, it was daunting to have our first game against another ANZ Championship team (albeit a training game) in front of so many people! Usually our first game is at our training venue and when you make a mistake (which happens often in the first hitout!), only a handful of people see it. It's a little scarier getting the cobwebs out in front of a 1000+ strong crowd!
The weekend was a great success with all the Swifts getting some valuable court time and experience against a strong Vixens side.
Now we prepare for Tauranga, New Zealand. The official pre-season tournament of 2012, where all 10 teams will be present and hitting the court over three days. It's a great way to get all the players out on court, to experience the speed and skill level of ANZ Championship players, and to gauge where you are as a team, an individual and to test some new combinations and methods. Once we arrive back in Sydney, it's full steam ahead to the first match. 31 DAYS!
Which brings me to another countdown! For some crazy reason, I decided to call a chocolate ban, originally just for the month of March, however when I mentioned this to my team-mates, they thought I should start right then and there. February 14. So it was agreed if I started then the Swifts girls would all sign a contract and nominate one or two things they would also banish from their diet in the lead-up to our first game. It’s fair to say most things banned were chocolate, lollies, chips, sweets or desserts. So although we are counting down to the ANZ Championship, for the Swifts it’s also a countdown to maybe treating ourselves to a little sweet after the game in Adelaide! Mmmm chocolate!
]]>I had a lovely break(in between the home training sessions). I managed to get back home (to Bega) and enjoy some family time. It was great to have Christmas at the beach surrounded by the entire family- but gee it was exhausting! By the time I caught up with all the family and friends from home and finally got back to Sydney, I think I needed another few days to recover! All my nieces and nephews are so entertaining and fun to play with, but if I only had the energy of a 10 year-old child!! They just go, go, go!! =)
Pre-season is always the toughest time of the year in my opinion. It’s when the hard, long hours are spent in the gym, on the court and running laps around ovals. All during summer, where most people are enjoying drinks with friends and relaxing having BBQs in the sunshine; netballers are sweating up a storm, drinking and eating healthy (trying) and making sure we are physically and mentally prepared for the upcoming season.
The NSW Swifts officially started our 2012 campaign in early January. It was great to finally get the team together and start training as one unit (minus one player, Kristy Guthrie who recently got married and was relaxing somewhere on her honeymoon). The training has been tough, but the girls are looking the goods. Everyone is putting in the hard work, and I’m sure they are also, like me, counting down the days until we finally get to slip the red Swifts dress on and play some nettie!
In other netball news, the Susan Pratley Netball Clinics are back for 2012, and we are kicking off our first clinic of the year in Young in February, and then continuing around NSW throughout the year. Looking forward to getting out to the associations and teaching the young netballers of NSW some new skills, having some fun and inspiring them to work hard and strive for their goals, and maybe they can teach me some new skills too. The search is on for the future NSW Swifts!
Not much else to report this early in the year, it is all the same thing- long hours and stories of training, training and more training. Hopefully I’ll have some more exciting gossip next month when we hit the court and start playing some pre-season netball matches. Stay tuned!
]]>There have been many ups and many downs in the past year, but when I reflect on the past two months, I have to agree it finished pretty well.
November kicked off with a lovely relaxing holiday to Hawaii! I went with two good friends and my sister and we spent 10 days forgetting the world and relaxing on the beach, shopping and doing the tourist thing. It was a great way to switch the brain off and just enjoy the company of great friends.
I then travelled to England with the Australian FastNet Team where I had the privilege to co-captain what was a fantastic team. We went through the World Netball Series undefeated beating the likes of a very strong New Zealand team and England, who also fielded a strong side. The WNS brought together the top six nations in the world and instead of playing traditional netball, we played a modified game. It wasn’t completely different to a normal game, just a very quick version of it, with plenty of tactics to be implemented- something I love about the game!
I was happy to be out on court again and to be wearing the green and gold was a great feeling. But on top of that, being a leader of the team was something I relished and I was happy with my performance throughout the competition. There’s still plenty for me to work on but after 199 days of no formal netball, I was happy!
Since returning from England, the NSW Swifts have kick started our 2012 campaign with testings and meeting the new Strength and Conditioning coach. Now when I say "meet" I should say that he definitely put us through our paces! I'm sure most girls are still cursing him late at night when our bodies have reached the point of soreness where you cannot roll over in bed!! But as much as it may hurt now, we know that it will all be worth, so thanks Jason!!
I can’t believe we’re closing in on Christmas and the silly season! I'll be heading home to my parents place for Christmas to enjoy Mum’s cooking, relax with Dad out on the fishing boat, doing crazy things with my sister and enjoying some rounds of golf with my brothers. Oh and of course- keeping up the training program Jason has given us over this "silly season".
I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and enjoy the time with loved ones. See you all in 2012!!!
X
]]>199 days -WOW!
In the 19 years that I have played netball, I don’t think I have actually gone almost 200 days without playing a game. And I most definitely haven’t gone that long without playing since I started playing in the CBT and now the ANZ Championship some 9 years ago.
Yes I have played Netball during this time off, but not an official game. In the past 199 days, I have had low points and some time to reflect on this game I spend my entire life playing, and to be honest I have missed it.
When I was called into the Australian Team during the last Test Series, I have to admit I was sooo excited. To be able to slip the green and gold dress on was something special, and something I will never take for granted.
Although the break was a forced break, it was a necessary one that allowed me to see the passion I have for the game and the desire I have to continue playing.
So now onto the next adventure-FastNet.
It’s an exciting new concept of the game, and as a shooter lots of fun!! The most exciting part is the shooting outside the circle. Everyone else in the team is pretty shattered the rules haven’t changed to allow every member of the team to be able to shoot outside the circle- so it’s just us shooters that are the lucky ones. To get me ready for this challenge, I have for the past month at our court sessions, been putting in some long shot practice ;-)
The team the Aussies are taking away is a mix of experience and youth. There are the “oldies”, Chatfield, Beveridge and myself who have been around for quite some time, and then there are the new up-and-comers; Amorette Wild, Ashleigh Brazill, Verity Simmons and April Letton. I think it’s an exciting team to be a part of.
Having spoken to some of the younger ones recently, you can see their excitement about touring as the Australian FastNet Team, and from experience, this excitement spreads through the team and creates a great environment to train and play under.
Although we have taken a younger side to the World Netball Series, I don’t think you should discount the Aussie and these young girls’ enthusiasm and netball skills. It is a quality side, and like all Australian sides, one that demands the best and will deliver their best performances out there on the court. It will be an exciting series, and one I suggest you watch with interest.
So with 199 days without a Netball game, but lots of training between the Ssemi final v Mystics on May 8, to November 25 and our first game v Jamaica, I am just like an excited little kid who wakes up early on a Saturday morning, puts on their netball dress and cannot wait to get out there with my friends and play some nettie!!!
Stay tuned for updates on the World Netball Series!!
]]>When the NSW Swifts season came to an end in the semi finals (a little earlier then we all hoped), I focused my attention on training hard for Australian selections. Unfortunately I was not what the selection personnel wanted for the World Championships in Singapore, something that was very hard to take. But now that I’ve had some time to digest it, I’m getting used to the idea of “time off” before I knuckle down and get stuck into pre-season training, because i’m determined to have a great 2012.
I know that I have what it takes to play for Australia. But even I will admit that I wasn’t happy with my second half of the NSW Swifts season; I felt that I wasn’t playing my game and that is something that will always frustrate me.
As an athlete, we are our hardest critic, things sometimes don’t go our way, outside factors play a part and it’s how we react to these things that dictate how we perform. I kick myself everyday for letting things out of my control affect my confidence and ultimately my game in the last couple of matches of the season, but you live and learn. I was very tough on myself but I have now learnt to let it go and refocus on season 2012.
Although I am not boarding the plane with the Australian Diamonds bound for the World Championships, I wish them all the luck. It’s an exciting, youthful side and I am sure they will do Australia proud in their quest to win back-to-back World Championships.
The Susan Pratley Netball Clinics have been in full swing the past month and in July I will travel thousands of kms to teach our future netballers. This has been so much fun and something I really enjoy doing. It’s great to get out there and see the young kids enjoying their sport and having a go!
Over the past month, I have also been able to work with some other programs. A new one I have just jumped on board with is the UNDERDOGS, an anti-bullying campaign that is trying to create awareness of the bullying problem and bring a stop to it. I encourage you all to check it out and support it. ( http://underdogs.tv/ )
So for now, I am living a somewhat normal life back in Sydney, and although I am having time off away from the netball court to refresh, I assure you I have not stopped training! I am in the gym most days doing weight training, running, riding, boxing and also having some fun trying some different sports.
I’m really looking forward to what lays ahead. My hunger and passion to play for the Diamonds is still strong and I look forward to accepting the challenge that is in front of me and fighting my way back into the team. I love representing my country in the sport I love and I promise to work harder and smarter to make sure I wear the green and gold again!
]]>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!!
We finally have all 12 players together and are starting to work on combinations and plays. The 12 players for the Swifts this year are a strong 12, with all players showing glimpses of some fantastic netball ahead of our first game of 2011 against the Thunderbirds.
Having the likes of Mo’onia Gerrard joining the NSW Swifts and coming back home to Sydney is exciting – especially for me! I have always had to match up against her during the ANZ Championships and to finally have her on my team and at the other end of the court is a relief! Good luck to the other GA’s in the competition- she’s your problem now! =)
We have had a busy January with lots of fitness work and fine tuning, and then finishing off the past 2 weekends with pre-season matches against 4 other ANZ teams. A great way to get the body back into netball season, and blow out any cobwebs- match fitness is always so different to the fitness work of running around the oval, so it takes the lungs a few matches to get back into the swing of things!
Obviously since my last blog I have been through an Australian team camp, after which the Diamonds travelled to Jamaica on a tour I wasn’t selected for. This was a difficult experience for me personally, and it goes without saying that for a few days after, as any athlete is who misses a team, I was quite disappointed. Our Diamonds squad are an extremely talented bunch at the moment with a lot of depth – and every girl would be a worthy choice at the moment – which makes it a tough job for the selectors! Selections in sport and in life are always tough, challenging processes, but I have always believed that how people respond to adversity makes them the person, and the athlete that they are. Now is my opportunity to respond in the right way, work as hard as possible, and show what I can do.
Since selection I have bounced back and ramped up my training in a big way, in the hope of getting back into the green and gold ASAP! My training since selection has been extremely intense, and I am enjoying taking on the challenge! For now, my focus becomes this season with the Swifts – which I think will be a great opportunity for us to rectify the finals slump we had at the end of 2010. Here’s hoping we can go all the way in 2011!
]]>Training over the holidays is tough- not only because everyone is letting their hair down, but also because you have to do the sessions alone, no team mates to keep you motivated, push you and to enjoy all those crazy runs together!! But I am happy to say, I did survive- just!!
So now we hit the ground running! Off to Aussie camp tomorrow, tough camp ahead with selection up for grabs to tour Jamaica. Fingers crossed!! I’m always so nervous going into these camps, the Australian squad has lots of competition at the moment, and spots in the 12 are tough to get! But I have done the work, and now I just need to work my butt off in the sessions down at the AIS and hopefully that gets me a plane ticket! (Keep your fingers crossed for me!)
And on the NSW Swifts front; there is only 1 month and 9 days until the start of the ANZ Championship. Wow!! Only felt like yesterday we were playing the 2010 season! We get our full team together this month for the first time, as Sonia (Mkoloma) has been over in England playing. So it will be exciting at training when we have our 12 together at last- and it will be loud too, the inclusion of Sonia at training increases the volume x 10!! She is one loud girl, but fun to have at training!!
The Susan Pratley Netball Clinics are back this month. We kick off the 2011 clinics with super clinics in Sydney on the 25th January- there are still a few places left, get in and register to book your spot. Looking forward to coaching the next group of netball superstars!! For more information on the clinics check out the clinic section of the website.
Time to prepare for the camp and sneak in one more running session before the camp!
Netball season is just around the corner- I’m getting excited, how about you??
See you on the netball court!
x
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