Teachers like Tim Lumsden are integral to the promotion of netball, helping young players to discover and participate in the sport.
Based on his dedication to netball and his students at Brunswick North Primary School, Lumsden was awarded Teacher of the Year at the 2021 Netball Victoria Community Awards.
Lumsden was first introduced to netball four years ago through the Sporting Schools program – an Australian Government initiative designed to increase children's participation in sport and connect them with community sport opportunities. Of all the participating sports in the Sporting Schools program, he was attracted to netball due to the sport's existing popularity among students, and the school’s proximity to a local netball club.
Lumsden’s first delivery of the program was highly successful, with Brunswick North Primary School lucky enough to secure former Australian netballer three-time World Championship winner, and Commonwealth gold medallist Shelley O’Donnell as their visiting coach. O’Donnell attended multiple sessions at the school over four weeks, allowing students of all genders, abilities, and experience levels to improve their skills.
“She was brilliant, not just for the kids, but also for myself in terms of my learning and appreciation of the game,” Lumsden said.
A second delivery of the program proved just as popular with the students including those previously unfamiliar with the sport. Despite challenges over COVID-19, Lumsden went above and beyond to deliver the program over the interrupted school year.
For teachers seeking an organised and engaging physical activity, Lumsden said he would “100%” recommend the Sporting Schools netball program. Students enjoy the physical activity while simultaneously developing valuable life skills around communication, decision making, collaboration, and resilience.
“I think the great thing about netball is that it’s inclusive; it’s both genders and there’s so many positives in relation to the self-esteem of the students, their skills, teamwork, flexibility, and their social interaction,” Lumsden said.
“I think it’s a sport where everyone can find their comfort zone based on ability. In terms of the pathway also, you can just pay socially, or you can play competition – whatever level you like.”
Teachers are also well supported to deliver the Sporting Schools program via a suite of session plans and access to Netball Australia’s Foundation Coaching Course.
Lumsden hopes to continue netball at Brunswick North Primary School and organise a competition day between the schools in the local area.
He has spoken with Netball Victoria staff members on how netball can be improved at both Brunswick North Primary School and in the wider community. The inclusion of netball courts at all schools, for example, would allow all institutions to host interschool netball events and encourage wider participation in the game.
