Whilst it’s safe to say that Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) players from all clubs have been itching to get back to training ever since the league’s announcement that the new-look season would begin on August 1, they’ve hardly been sitting idle during isolation either.
Some may have thought it was a good opportunity to take a well-earned ‘break’ from netball, but between iso-baking and Netflix bingeing, 19 current and former SSN players have used the period of hiatus to brush up on their netball coaching accreditation, by undertaking a range of courses delivered online by Netball Victoria.
Usually the demands of being an SSN athlete would make it difficult to commit to completing courses whilst in-season, but with netball being put on hold for an extended period of time due to COVID-19, it was the perfect time for players to upskill their coaching.
A total of eight current SSN players opted to undertake the Intermediate Coaching Course during the period of isolation; Emily Mannix, Kate Moloney, Liz Watson and Kate Eddy (Melbourne Vixens), Ashleigh Brazill and Matilda Garrett (Collingwood Magpies), and Samantha Gooden and Chelsea Pitman (Adelaide Thunderbirds).
Upon successful completion, a coach holding an Intermediate accreditation can hold the position of Head Coach at a Victorian Netball League (VNL) Division 1 or 19/U level, or equivalent.
Usually delivered in a one-day, face-to-face setting, given the change of circumstances the theoretical component of the Intermediate Course was held online for the participating SSN athletes, presented by experienced coach - and newly-elected Netball Victoria Board Member! - Carol Cathcart.
After successful completion of the theory component of the course, the Intermediate Course candidates will hopefully complete their practical assessments once we can return to the delivery of face-to-face sessions.
Having already completed the Intermediate Course, a further 11 past and present SSN athletes elected to undertake the Advanced Coaching Course; Tegan Philip and Caitlin Thwaites (Melbourne Vixens), Madi Browne, Geva Mentor and Melissa Bragg (Collingwood Magpies), Maddy Turner, Maddy Proud, Sophie Garbin and Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts), and past superstars, Erin Bell, and current Adelaide Thunderbirds Specialist Coach, Natalie von Bertouch.
Usually, the Advanced Course is delivered across three days of face-to-face theory and practical learning, where participants must complete workbooks in the areas of communication, wellbeing, physiology, coaching evaluation and match analysis.
Throughout isolation on Sunday mornings for six consecutive weeks, these 11 participants have jumped on Zoom, where Cathy Fellows – Netball Victoria’s Pathways Manager - has been delivering the theory components of the course; communication with umpires, coach evaluation, physiology of netball and pre-match analysis. Cathy Gallop, Netball Victoria’s Technical Officials Coordinator, assisted with the presentation of the umpiring component of the course, whilst the Western Bulldogs’ Calvin Philp presented the physiology component of the course.
Melbourne Vixens goaler, Tegan Philip, said the period of hiatus was a great opportunity to complete the next level of her coaching accreditation.
“It’s fantastic that Netball Victoria provided not just us Vixens, but players from all SSN teams this opportunity throughout the period of isolation.
“The course is obviously a great career development opportunity for us should we want to go into coaching post our playing career, and as players, also gave us a greater insight into how things look from a coach’s perspective.”
Once Netball Victoria can return to face-to-face course delivery, the Advanced Course candidates will complete the on-court practical learning day. There is then a practical assessment that the coaches must complete to pass the course.
Once they have successfully achieved their Advanced coaching accreditation, candidates are qualified to coach at Championship level in a state league Competition – such as the VNL - be Head Coach of a state underage team, and be an Assistant Coach at SSN level.
Over the past three months NV has hosted five other Intermediate coaching courses with Nikki Keegan leading the facilitation of these online sessions. Please keep your eye on the Netball Victoria website for upcoming coaching courses.
