The truth is it’s in my DNA, I’ve always been like this - always had that thirst for netball knowledge and that’s manifested itself in different ways over the years. As a child I was chief supporter. As a teen I developed a passion for playing and later on realised umpiring was a great way to earn money, therefore not missing out on playing opportunities for a dreaded Saturday job!
Coaching was always ‘built in’ thanks to my strong leadership skills (previously known as bossy - but I’ve taught my six year old to answer ‘I’m not bossy I’ve got strong leadership skills’ if anyone dares call her the ‘B’ word!)
I definitely have unfinished business as a Coach but for now I’m happy to sit back, relax, help others, when and if they need it, and return when I’m stronger and ready for the challenge. Coaching is bloody difficult. Those who’ve not done it underestimate how hard it is.
All that netball experience means I do have some very strong opinions and I’m not known for keeping them to myself! Whatever I do, whatever I say about netball it does comes from the heart.
I find the evolution of netball in the past few years really exciting and I’m very proud to have played a very small role through my previous job for the National Governing Body.
Our elite game has come on in leaps and bounds - players are fitter, stronger and more athletic. The game is far more physical than it has ever been. Players are awesome role models for watching youngsters. The endorsements, sponsorships and commercial opportunities will just grow and grow and that will be needed if players and eventually umpires, coaches and support staff want Netball as a career.
As a little girl who dreamt of playing for England (we all had dreams!) it is incredible that we now have opportunities where Netball can be a career!
At what price will all that commercialism cost Netball though?
With the influx of more money comes higher stakes.
I’ll tell you a secret: I absolutely fell in love with football when I was 11 year old. My first match was a drab draw at Fratton Park, watching the mighty (!) Portsmouth v Walsall. I got soaked in the family section but I was absolutely enthralled and adored the blues from then on!
Until i fell out of love with football.
It was some years later with the creation of the ‘Premier League’ and Simple Minds ‘Alive and Kicking’ promoting it on Sky: in the following years I saw players rolling around ‘in agony’, transfer fees rocket to disproportionate figures and my beloved Pompey escaping extinction by the skin of their teeth thanks to some very shady owners, who apparently passed the ‘fit and proper’ football club owners test.
Simply. I fell out of love with football because of money.
In the Suncorp Super Netball league (well regarded as the best domestic league in the world, trailblazing where it’s likely the Vitality Superleague will follow!) there are currently discussions about post match panels to sanction players for indiscretions umpires may not see! That may have all sorts of implications in the future - I rue the day we have any football- like ‘simulation’ from a Netballer!
We have also seen the introduction of ‘Nissan Net Points’ rewarding a player for turnovers and successful feeds amongst other ‘positives’ but subtracting points for missed shots and failed rebounds, amongst other ‘negatives’.
I was once accused of ‘not embracing change’ but it’s not true, I actually find change exciting - but not for ‘change sake’ and certainly not just so Nissan ( or any other company!) can interfere with our great game to put their brand to it!
I cannot stand ‘booing’ at netball games - it goes against everything I am in Netball for! I made my views very clear to those around me at Surrey Storm v Manchester Thunder in Guildford a few weeks ago! ๐ Take note if you’re sitting near me in Liverpool!
I also read with interest the debate on Twitter regarding the Thunder drums at the Superleague Semi Final and whether or not they were louder when Team Bath were shooting. There were no complaints from Bath, and Thunder defended their ardent supporters - ‘adding to the atmosphere’, apparently. ‘It wouldn’t be a problem at football’ I think one Tweet suggested!
I guess that’s my point. We’re Netball. We don’t have to be like any other sport, especially not football! We can map out our own path; we don’t have to ‘boo’ the umpires, just because football supporters have been calling referee’s names beginning with ‘W’ for decades!
We also don’t have to pay the extortionate prices big names are putting on replica kit and training gear just because there is a big tick front & centre!
Yes, we want our elite players to do well, we don’t want them worrying about pensions, maternity pay and paying their rent on time. Yes, we also want great venues and training facilities, where we can all benefit no matter what level we play at. There is an whole host of improvements that can be made to our great game and benefits for all - I’m all for it and believe there’s still lots of change to come.
I’m just ever so nervous about the implications of all the commercialism. Is anyone actually considering the consequences? Will netball look ‘better’ in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years time? For me, at the moment, it’s a case of be careful what you wish for!
No comments:
Post a Comment