England
Netball's new Excel Pathway is being rolled out via their
Regions to all Counties over the coming months with the aim that
all Satellite and Academy coaches will use the guidance to help
with the development of our talented netballers. In a two
hour session Karen Greig, our NW Regional Talent Coach, joined
Cheshire coaches to deliver the new framework, gather feedback,
and answer questions about the new guidance.
The
attending Coaches furiously took notes on the drills and
were in awe of Mike’s ability to command complete attention
from the players. County Academy U14 Coach Stacey O’Donnel
will surely implement much of what she learned from the
session, as will the other Club and School coaches in
attendance.
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News about netball in Cheshire |
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Thunder's Jade Clarke helps Alderley Edge School for Girls prepare to represent Cheshire at National Schools Tournament
As you will remember our Senior squad celebrated success last term by winning the Cheshire County Netball tournament. This weekend they will travel over to Blackpool to represent Cheshire in the National Schools Tournament. They will face some tough opposition but we are hoping that they have maintained their fitness and their natural competitive spirit will shine through once more.
This week they were faced with a gruelling netball session led by a current England Netball player, Jade Clarke. Jade plays WD/C for England and is preparing for the forthcoming test series against Australia in February. We are very grateful to Cheshire Netball who organised this session as an incentive to do well at the tournament.
The girls have been modelling their new kit and will, I am sure, pull out all the stops in representing both the school and their county as best they can. The squad members are:Beth Hudson, Captain, Natasha Barltrop, Laura Eckersley, Alicia Gande, Abigail Lynch, Lucy Lynch, Harriet Oulton, Georgia Sym, Beth Toms. Their opponents include, Oldham Sixth Form College who won the Manchester area tournament; Queen Elizabeth GS, runners up in the Cumbria region; Cardinal Newman, winners from Lancashire; and Range High School who enter as runners up from Mersey. We all wish them the very best of luck on Saturday, and pray for sunshine in Blackpool!
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Fastnet
Legacy
What a game! what a tournament! what a day! what an experience! These were comments from all the players from Didsbury Netball Club. The club was born 13 years ago with one school team from Didsbury led by teacher Liz Rowley with her eldest Daughter Rebecca playing in that team aged 10. The club has grown to over 12 junior teams and 120 members and the club entered the Cheshire Fastnet tournament, winning all the games, with younger daughter Megan aged 17 playing along with captain Orla Harkin who was one of the earliest members of the club. The team boasted a number of Cheshire County players in their numbers but the early stars were university students Alicia McKenna and Dom Tucker both who came back from Notts university to play. The team won all games at Cheshire and then went to the Regional Tournament in September at Whalley Range to play the teams from all the North West which had been arranged by Juliet Williams, the Legacy Co-ordinator for the event. The 12 Didsbury girls were outstanding, making many substitutions with shooters Courtney Perks, Megan Rowley and Rosie Bailey all scoring 2 pointers and 4 pointers. In the semi Final against Blackpool, Didsbury scored 16 points in the Powerplay and with defenders Amie Napper and Katie Hamilton outstanding, team manager Kevin Rowley was very happy. The team had again won all the games and went through to play the final against XYW Bury which was arranged for the Finals day of the World Series at the MEN Arena. The players arrived and were escorted through to their allocated changing rooms, given drinks and instructions just like the international teams. The players lined up with a few hundred spectators in the crowd cheering them on and then the flames went up and the girls were announced onto the court with the big screen showing them all with big nervous smiles. The Umpires called the players together and then Bury went into Powerplay at the first quarter but the Didsbury girls stayed calm and Laura Spence was superb making a number of interceptions to loud cheers. The teams each scored 3 goals but this meant Bury Led 6-3pts. In the 2nd quarter Jasmin Lane, Corinne Kinvig and Tor French held dominance of the centre court and Didsbury reduced the gap to 8-7pts. In the 3rd quarter coach Liz Rowley pressed the powerplay button and the flames flashed and Didsbury came out and ended the quarter 13-11 ahead. In the final quarter the Didsbury girls kept their composure and with a dominant defence and an excellent attack, they converted their chances to run out 18-13 winners to take the inaugural Matalan Fastnet Championship. This was a special day for the club and for the whole Rowley family as Liz was coaching, Kevin managing, Rebecca primary carer and Megan playing. What a legacy of memories for them all and the whole team as they gathered for the trophies and pictures. click here to see more photos from the day
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Challenge Shield
Halton
25
V Poly
24
Umpires: Andrea Cowherd & Carol William. 3rd Official: Ian Fuller HaltonStarting Position: Carla Lawrenson (GK), Kalicia Uchegbu (GD), Michelle Jones ((WD), Danielle Williams (C), Denise Taylor (WA), Cheryl Gumbs (GA) Laura Davison (Finnigan) Bench: Andrea Gumbs(C), Lesa Talbot, Jenny Antrobus, Maxine Gumbs PolyStarting Position: Alex Taylor (GS), Jayne Lea (GA), Lisa Sumpter (WA), Jenny Lang (C), Lucy Botham (WD), Jess Jones (GD), Letitia Biddulph (GK) Bench: Gilly Fisher, Camilla Campbell-Stanway
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Wealth of Cheshire Netball Talent at Pre-Trials makes it tough going for Selectors
Under 16s get briefing by Estelle & Kevin Preparations for
Cheshire's 2009/2010 season began on Saturday with pre-trials
for Under 14 & Under 16 netballers from across the County.
The weather was perfect for the 200 teenage trialists,
supportive parents, and County selectors that met at Woodford
Lodge Sports Centre in Winsford to begin the selection process
for next seasons cohort of County Academy and Satellite players. The morning began with 75 Under 16 players warming up for a series of quick fire matches under the watchful eye of the County Selectors. County Coaches and Selectors all mentioned how the high standard was making the selection task very difficult, but it had to be done, and in the early afternoon they had decided that 57 Under 16 netballers would go through to final trials in September.
A larger contingent of Under 14s arrived for their session in the afternoon, with 125 registering with the hope of performing well enough to go forward to final selection. The format was the same as the morning session, and at the end of day 60 players were selected. All the girls can be very proud of their efforts, as they demonstrated that netball in Cheshire is getting better every season.
The County Association also used the day as a mentoring session for County Umpires who gained valuable feedback on their skills from two attending 'A' award umpires. In addition to the advice, they experienced a test of their stamina as the fast paced games kept their cardio vascular system working overtime. Under 14 briefing
Your County Association Committee would like to thank all the volunteers on the day, parents for being so supportive, the selectors and officials for their expertise, and most of all the players who demonstrated a very high level of netball talent.
Selectors match play |
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Cheshire gains valuable matchplay at annual Isle of Man Tournament
Cheshire County Netball Under 16’s and Under 19’s travelled to the Isle of Man for the 2nd year to participate in their annual tournament. The tournament took place over the weekend of 26th April 2009 and had increased in size since last year with an international flavour with a team from Malta and also more from England. Cheshire took 2 squads and in total each team played 21 games over the weekend so that they had some valuable matchplay experience to aid their own development as players.
The coaches ensured that all players played a major role with most playing in 2 or 3 positions whilst on court.
On day 1 the Cheshire Under 19’s only lost to last year’s winners Evesham Reds who are a Premier 2 team. They had great wins over Malta, Capricorn (who had 4 Cheshire players playing for their club), Ashton on Mersey, Blackburn College as well as the under 16’s. The U16’s also lost to Evesham but beat Ballasalla and others meaning both teams were well placed at the end of day 1.
The players returned to their hotel where they had a meal and a swim before retiring to their rooms for a good nights rest!
On Sunday they had an early start and the Under 19’s continued in their winning ways with the U16’s drawing a tight game with Malta. However after 16 rounds both had qualified in the top 5 and they went into a round robin of a further 4 games. The experienced Evesham Reds came out on top with Malta 2nd and our teams finishing 3rd and 4th.
We received over £300 in prize money and vouchers, and all the squads thoroughly enjoyed the weekend including Under 16 coach Mel Histon who was on her first tour.
All the players behaved impeccably and their manners and politeness were commented on by staff at the Sports centre and the Hotel. They were a credit to the County and all felt that the weekend had helped them develop both personally and as a netballer. report by K Rowley |
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Cheshire NCL Rally report- Great weather, Great netball and Great results!
Cheshire hosted the NCL last rally of the season on Saturday 18th April under brilliant spring sunshine, making the day enjoyable for all the players and supporters that attended. Teams from North Cumbria, Lancashire, North Durham, Tyne & Wear, and South Durham travelled to Cheshire for a full day of netball action. Cheshire followed up impressive performances at the first two rallies with another strong showing at their home venue which resulted in them taking home the hardware in all of the divisions. Final placing for Cheshire Academy squads are:
U14B Winners U14A Runners up U16B Winners U16A Runners up U19 Winners
Organisers from all the Counties involved met to discuss plans for next year, and it has been decided to keep the 'RALLY' format, with some minor adjustments, and to invite more County Academies to join in for some important game play experience.
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Six Cheshire Academy netballers chosen to trial for North West High Performance Program
Elizabeth Sutton (U14), Olivia Callender(U14) , Abigail Lynch (U16), Karen Greig NW Regional Talent Coach Chloe Darroch (U16) , Lucy McDermott (U16), and Lucy Burrows(U16)
On Saturday 4th April Cheshire County sent 24 Academy players to the Talent Festival organised by NW regional Talent coach Karen Greig, and funded by Greater Manchester County at Wright Robinson School, Gorton, Manchester.
The players were placed in their age group, mixed by position and placed in teams with allocated coaches. Cheshire Coaches, Stacey O'Donnell, Liz Rowley, Chris Brien and Nikki Kendrick coached and managed a squad each. Estelle Graham and Laura Woods supported the day umpiring games on behalf of Cheshire and Kevin Rowley was involved in the selection process along with a member from each of the North West Counties Coaching staff and Mike Greenwood, the High Performance Director and Northern Thunder Coach.
The girls all played 6 x 15 min games and the selectors were looking for the outstanding potential on show to attend a further High Performance trialling in September with the ultimate goal of playing for England U17's.
After all the games only 12 athletes were selected to go forward to the trials so well done to the six Cheshire girls who made it through and good luck in the trials in September.
click here to see action photos from the Talent Festival
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Warrington junior club Imagine8 take on ball girl duties at Northern Thunder ENTL match!
Some of Warrington's finest young netballers enjoyed the great experience of attending a Northern Thunder match on Saturday as Thunder completed their season with a convincing 52 - 36 win over Glasgow Wildcats. Even more exciting for the youngsters was being courtside as ball girls for the Thunder ENTL junior match, where they beat West Midland Warriors 59 - 31.
Judging by the girls enthusiasm whilst carrying out their duties, they thoroughly enjoyed themselves as every ball that went off court was chased down and accurately passed back for the ensuing pass. Surely they will take this same enthusiasm back to their club training, and aspire to playing at this level as their netballing skills evolve over the coming years.
Well done Girls!!!
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Under 14 Satellite squads get friendly match play with visiting teams from Isle of Man and Cumbria
With the help of Cheshire Netball and the North West region, the Isle of Man Under 14 squad, their officials and umpires visited the North West on the last weekend of January. The aim of the trip was to get some umpiring mentoring whilst officiating at the Northern Thunder NTL match versus Bath (Thunder NTL's won by 9), and for the Under 14 squad to watch a Superleague match and act as ball girls for Saturday's Northern Thunder v Bath contest.
On Sunday, it was arranged for
Cheshire Netball's U14 Satellite teams to play against the Isle
of Man squad and as a bonus the Westmorland Wanderers Netball
Club from Cumbria travelled down to join and make it a mini
tournament. The teams each played several games at
Tytherington High School in Macclesfield, with all games played
in a high standard and best spirit.
Satellite coaches Liz Rowley and Rosie Harris were thankful for the opportunity to put all the girl's hard training into practice. This friendly match play will help enhance their individual skills, hopefully the girls will take these back to their club teams to be put into practice. Cheshire County Netball would like to thank all those that helped make this event a success and to thank the visiting teams for travelling down from Cumbria and over from the Isle of Man.
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North West Regional Talent Coach - Karen Greig briefs Cheshire Academy Coaches on new England Netball 'Netball Excel Framework'
Within the introduction, National Talent Manager - Kelly Parkynn states that "the Framework should guide, lead and structure the work of coaches operating within the framework levels, but critically allows the coach to apply their skills to achieve desired outcomes with their athletes." |
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Northern Thunder Head Coach Mike Greenwood delivers training session for Cheshire Coaches
Mike focused on ball control and player movement throughout the court as each drill seemed to be seamlessly escalated to the next level. The girls had to keep their focus in order to move the ball around court, constantly moving and re-offering for the next pass.
A second training session is planned for early in the New Year. |
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Cheshire U19 Academy players receive expert Umpire mentoring!
Under 19 Academy players Megan Rowley and Rachel Chadwick regularly umpire at Cheshire & Merseyside League (CMJNL) matches and at Cheshire Schools tournaments. As part of their development program they were give expert mentoring by Laura Wood whilst officiating CMLNL matches at Woodford Lodge Sports Centre. Laura observed their umpiring skills and provided feedback that will be crucial to their development. |
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Cheshire company donates new Netball Posts to Tytherington High School
Cheshire Netball would like to thank JC STEEL TRADING LTD in Adlington, Cheshire, and its owner Mr John Callender, for kindly donating a new set of netball posts to be used by Cheshire Netball, Pink Ladies Netball Club and Tytherington High School. In these challenging economic times it is reassuring to see such a strong show of community support towards the development of netball in Cheshire.
Please support to the companies that generously sponsor Cheshire Netball!!
JC STEEL TRADING LTD GROUND FLOOR CONSTRUCTION HOUSE ADLINGTON INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ADLINGTON CHESHIRE SK10 2EW Tel 01625 855606 Fax 01625 855604 |
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