|
Cheshire assists Northern Thunder trials with Umpiring and Selector
Umpires from Cheshire played a valuable role in this year's Northern Thunder trials, as they adjudicated during play and at the same time were given expert mentoring from 'A' Umpires Andrea Cowherd and Debbie Morgan. Over the 8 hours of trials on Saturday 12th July, these umpires kept the game play going so that selectors could keep focused on choosing the best players that would join the Northern Thunder Superleague and England National Talent League teams. In addition they were given guidance on fine tuning their umpiring skills, so that they can progress to higher qualifications and also pass this knowledge onto other umpires in Cheshire. Cheshire Netball Chairman Kevin Rowley also played an important role as one of the selectors chosen to scrutinise the trialists.
Cheshire Netball is committed to developing the skills of our umpires and coaches that will help all players and teams across the County in becoming more competitive. More information about umpiring and coaching can be found on our Umpire/Coach pages.
|
|
Netball’s UK Challenge Shield trophy goes to Imagine8 from Warrington
A confident and focused Imagine8 Netball Club defeated Tongham Netball Club from Aldershot by a score of 48 – 38 in the final of this National Competition. The finals were held at the Netball Centre at Loughborough University, with the Shield final as the first of the 3 match line up.
Under the leadership of Coach Sue Day, and team captain Jane Thomson, the squad started confidently, and quickly put their stamp on the game by combining a strong defence with quick offensive movement of the ball through the court. The shooting duo of Rachel Tansey and Courtney Perks put away most scoring attempts, and opportunities created via several defensive interceptions by Wing Defence Jenny Stewart and Goal Keeper Jane Thomson, Imagine8 took the first quarter by 14 goals to Tongham’s 7.
The second quarter continued along the same lines as the first, with Imagine8 able to penetrate Tongham’s zone defence via crisp short passes in midcourt, which soon opened opportunities further up court. The opposition pressed forward in an attempt to disrupt Imagine8’s rhythm but it was to no avail. At half time Imagine8 had stretched their lead to 10, with a score of 27 – 17.
Imagine8 started the third with less vigour that the first two quarters and this gave Tongham the opportunity they were waiting for, as they capitalised on Imagine8 turnovers and brought the score dangerously close. However the Imagine8 squad soon pulled up their socks and once again dominated the midcourt via clinical passing by Centre Zoe Boyes and Wing Attack Julia Gash. Andrea Holker replaced Stewart at WD, and coupled with the defensive duo of Jane Thomson and Jenny Gibson, they shut down most scoring attempts towards the end of the quarter. Imagine8 regained their superior position at the end of 45 minutes.
Despite a last ditch effort by Tongham, the Warrington squad kept their composure during the forth quarter preventing the opposition from getting back into the game. Denise McEvoy came on at Wing Defence to help revitalise the team after three quarters of gruelling play. Imagine8 deservedly ran out Shield winners 48 – 38. Newcomer to the team, Hayley Preece didn’t see action in this game but she will surely be a valuable asset to the team in future conquests.
This is the second time Imagine8 has won an aspect of this competition, having won the UK Challenge Plate in 2006.
|
|
Imagine8 go through to Final of Challenge Shield
Warrington's premiere ladies team Imagine8 accomplished a convincing 43 - 20 win in their Semi Final matchup against Surrey team Fairlands held on Sunday 15th June at Brunel University in Uxbridge. They will now go on to the Challenge Shield final against Tongham to be held at Loughborough University's Netball Centre on Sunday 29th June.
The first quarter was a nervous affair from both sides, and with Imagine8 unable to capitalise on several defensive interceptions they fell behind by one goal 7 - 6 at the end of the first fifteen minutes. The first interval saw Coach Sue Day make a few changes to the line up and she gave the squad guidance to settle their nerves and regain focus. The second quarter was all Imagine8 as the defence and midcourt players pressurised Fairlands into numerous turnovers, which the shooting duo of Rachel Tansey and Courtney Perks calmly put away to win the second quarter by a score of 14 - 1, thus ending the first half with a 20 - 8 lead.
Only one change was made prior to the third quarter with Tansey coming off from GA and Andrea Holker taking her place in the circle. Imagine8 continued to dominate the opposition, and it was evident that the Warrington squad had a greater depth of talent as they stretched their lead to 34 - 13 by end of 45 minutes.
The final quarter for Imagine8 was all about keeping focused, as they knew they had the game in the bag as long as they didn't let the opposition get any momentum. The defence stayed strong, the midcourt kept control and the circle players finished most opportunities with a swish through the netting to see another quarter won.
All three finals of the Challenge Cup Competition will be played at Loughborough Uni on the June 29th, so if you want to see three great games of netball, and give some well deserved support to Imagine8, then make plans to attend.
Imagine8
Courtney Perks, Julia Gash, Jenny Gibson, Jane Thomson, Andrea Holker, Rachel Tansey, Jenny Stewart, Lisa McHendry, Denise McEvoy, Zoe Boyes
|
|
North West Goalden Globe Awards 2008
Cheshire volunteers have won in two categories of this years Goalden Globe awards for the North West Region.
Netball Teacher of the Year Award - Mrs Liz Rowley
Young Volunteer of the Year Award - Miss Rachel Chadwick
England Netball North West Region has announced this year's regional winners, from the nominations entered for 5 competitive awards - these are as follows:
* Coach of the Year Award (New for 2008) - Coaches play a crucial role in the development of netball players, and this new award recognises the commitment and achievements of a netball coach who has made an outstanding contribution over the last 12 months. This award applies to coaches at all levels, and is made to a coach who works on a volunteer basis. To be eligible nominees must be attached to an organisation affiliated to England Netball.
* Muriel McNally Award - This award is presented to a volunteer who has made a notable contribution to the development of netball at grass roots level over a significant period of time. To be eligible nominees must be a registered member of an organisation affiliated to England Netball, and have supported grass roots netball development by way of coaching, umpiring or administration for a minimum period of 10 years.
* Netball Teacher of the Year Award - Teachers play a crucial role in introducing and inspiring players to the game of netball and many of them achieve this by volunteering their 'out of school' time. This award recognises a teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of netball in school, outside their statutory teaching responsibilities, in the last 12 months. To be eligible nominees must be attached to a school affiliated to England Netball.
* Rose Award - This award is made annually to a volunteer or organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to England Netball by promoting and developing netball to a wider audience. It is the quality of service which is important, not the length, and may include specific initiatives such as obtaining or providing significant sponsorship or publicity, organising a high profile event, contributing to the development of netball within minority groups, or supporting the introduction of a new league, all with the aim of increasing participation in netball. This award is not restricted to members of England Netball.
* Young Volunteer of the Year Award - This award is presented to a young person who has volunteered their time and expertise for a minimum period of two years to help others enjoy netball. This may be by way of coaching, umpiring or administration. To be eligible nominees must be no older than 25 years, and must be a registered member of an organisation affiliated to England Netball.
And the winners are: Coach of the Year Award - Mr Paul Harper Muriel McNally Award - Ms Joan Kirkham Netball Teacher of the Year Award - Mrs Liz Rowley Rose Award - Miss Dawn Tolcher Young Volunteer of the Year Award - Miss Rachel Chadwick
Many congratulations to all our winners!
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
News about netball in Cheshire
|
|
|
COUNTY SQUAD COACHES FOR 2007/2008
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Way Forward "All England Netball have made changes to the competition structure and to fit in with this structure we at Cheshire have carried out a full review of Netball within Cheshire." Please click the link below to see the whole letter from our Chairman outlining the way forward for Cheshire County Netball. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SUPERLEAGUE franchise Northern Thunder will have new owners at the helm at the start of the 2008-9 season.
The joint owners
of Netball UK Ltd, Debbie Hallas and Mike
Greenwood, will take over Northern Thunder
following a meeting last week with England
Netball's CEO Paul Clark and Director of Netball
Nigel Holl. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
North West Regional League Update
Local Teams Didsbury and Capricorn from the Cheshire & Merseyside League have performed admirably in the first round of the NW Regional League. In the Under 14 section Didsbury were very strong winning 40 - 18 over Blackpool. Unfortunately the Alsager v Tameside match was postponed and a new date will be arranged. In the Under 16 age group Capricorn defeated Blackpool 47 - 31, and National Champion side Oldham defeated Didsbury by a score of 53 - 25, despite a good fight from the losing squad.
Well done to all the competing teams and good luck in the next round scheduled for 2nd & 3rd of February.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
England Netball awards Silver Caps to Didsbury Netball Club
Didsbury has become one of the few netball clubs in Cheshire to be awarded England Netball's Silver Caps Award. Earlier this year they were awarded their Bronze Clubmark Award, so this year has been a very special year. Congratulations to Kevin & Liz who have spent so much time and effort developing all age groups at Didsbury into teams that are highly competitive at all competitions. But they can't do it all themselves and we are sure they are very proud of their coaches, managers, volunteers and especially players for their substantial achievements this year.
Well Done!!!!
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cheshire Under 14 Satellite Squads demonstrate the depth of netball talent in our County
On Saturday 24th November players from the Cheshire East and West Satellite Squads joined the County Academy U18, U16 and U14 Teams for their Home fixture against Tyne and Wear. The Satellite players watched the U18 team display their excellent skills resulting in a victory over their rivals. The Satellite players commented on the skill and fitness of the U18’s and their aspirations to develop their own skills to the same level.
They then went on to play a series of friendly games with teams from both satellites competing against each other and against some of the U14 Academy squad. The U18 players assisted with the Umpiring of these games. Many of the parents and supporters of the players commented upon the commitment of the organisers, coaches, umpires and other volunteers who worked hard to make the day a great success.
The Satellite players enjoyed a buffet lunch provided by their peers from the other County squads and were entertained for the remainder of the afternoon watching the exciting U16 and U14 games.
Satellite Coaches Rosie Harris and Liz Rowley felt that the day was a great success for the Satellite players as a support to their training and development as players, and look forward to joining the County squads for the Cumbria Home Fixture in March.
Liz Rowley
This was an excellent day that showed the commitment of all the Cheshire Netball Committee in its wish to promote grass roots netball. The two satellites at Knutsford in the East and Widnes in the West provide excellent development opportunity for younger players across the counties and have over 40 players enjoying this additional training opportunity. The Satellite players really enjoyed the experience of watching and playing with their peers. Cheshire Netball will continue to develop these links between the Squads.
The Cheshire Committee
Click here to see more photos of the Satellite Teams
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cheshire Netball sends kit to Uganda in support of
'Tackling Aids through Sports Program' & 'Mines Risk Awareness and Peace Building through Sport Program'
Cheshire has sent over 13 kg of netball clothing to Africa Youth Ministries Uganda to support their initiative to hold Netball Tournaments where under privileged, out of school young people and children orphaned by Aids are involved and educated about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how they can avoid being infected. A second program is in place in the north of Uganda where war has left the area riddled with land mines. Both programs are designed to help young people stay safe by educating them during their involvement in sport.
A plan is currently being drawn up to send more kit later in the year. We will be asking for players to donate any sports kit (trainers, tops, skirts, balls etc.) that they have grown out of. More info to come soon! Learn more about Africa Youth Ministries at: www.aymu.org
Ex Cheshire kit worn by netball team in northern Uganda |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
NORTHERN
THUNDER UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
 |
|
|
|