‘Netball A Fantastic Sport For Children’
Neil Thomas, coach and sponsorship coordinator at Hills Saints Netball Club, says netball is an ideal sport for children to play as it requires them to engage with other team mates. He said it introduces them to a team environment.
“This allows the children to build friendship circles possibly outside of their school group, giving them more opportunities to form tangible friendships in contrast to their electronic friends network,” Neil said.
Speaking ahead of the Come and Try Days promoted by Netball Australia, Neil said netball is a fantastic sport for young stars.
“Netball focuses on basic gross motor activities, like balancing, jumping, running, catching and later they can develop their skills to include changing directions, looking for players to pass to etc,” he said. “Then you can build on these basic skills, through moving into gaps, catching on the run, pivoting on one foot, and shooting mechanics.
“From my perspective, the role of coach and support staff is to ensure that children return to the sport the following season. Coaches need to provide challenging drills at different skill levels to ensure the individual develops a skill set to move them into the next season or into the higher skill level of the sport.
“Without open and clear dialogue about next steps and possible opportunities, children will not feel motivated or compelled to return to the sport.”
He is fully immersed in the sport, having played indoor netball several years ago and has family and friends who play and coach at representative levels. Neil has been involved with The Hills Saints for two years and stepped in as coach last year when it seemed like his daughter’s team might fold up.
“I didn’t want this to be the case for the team, who played together the previous season, so I volunteered to coach the team,” said Neil, adding with a smile: “Of course there was a gentle twist of my arm from my wife and daughter.”
His wife Jo Chong, who plays social netball, helps at training and game day organisation for the team. “Coaching a team can be quite overwhelming,” Neil said. “However, I had great support from my wife, family, friends and of course the Hills Saints netball community.”
Neil is a versatile sportsman having played cricket, basketball, indoor netball, volleyball and baseball. Presently, he is coaching his daughter’s baseball team, using his vast experience as a junior coach.
The Hills Saints Netball Club will hold their Come and Try Day on Sunday, February 16, at Crestwood Reserve courts, Baulkham Hills from 10am to 12noon. Contact: [email protected]
