From the SSN Hub Brisbane...
It was both exciting and a relief for SSN Round 1 to happen. The lead up was long, delayed, interrupted and with little opportunity for physical and technical preparation. All involved have been in the same position and have needed to adapt accordingly. We enter the stadium in a mask and gloves to have our temperature checked. I officiated the Round 1 game with no crowd as for the Vixens vs Magpies game we were all in quarantine. We finished our quarantine the day after the Round 1 match and then departed for Mooloolaba. For half the SSN Umpiring Squad this was our base for 3 weeks.
There has been a lot going on since Round 1 of SSN with Round 3 now complete and I had the opportunity to umpire 3 games across Rounds 2 and 3. It felt like being involved in a tournament rather than previous years of SSN. Recovery has therefore been very important and for me. This has included ice bins, plunge pool, bobbing around in the ocean, massage, nutrition and sleep. In some ways I feel like being away from home allows better recovery than if we were flying each weekend, living at home and attending work. With mid-week rounds in full swing recovery throughout the season will be extremely important.
It feels like I blinked and all of a sudden, we are up to Round 10 of SSN 2020. I’ve nearly clocked up 7 weeks away from home, early on my focus for lasting the distance was physical recovery. While this remains, maintaining life balance has become equally important while being in the SSN 2020 environment 24/7. But my life is not 100% netball. I’m grateful to continue my work remotely while being able to umpire. I’m keeping in touch with family and friends to maintain perspective with life in Melbourne. This balance will help me last through this season like no other and reminds me of the opportunities I am experiencing by being here. Take care everyone and I hope you are all enjoying watching the netty.