Clinic Wrap for 2010
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Lakeside Sunday 28th March |
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The Babble team kicked off their clinics at Lakeside Netball Association attempting to get athletes reved up for the 2010 season starting the following week. Greeted with a beautiful day and an energetic group of athletes the Babble coaches put 4 groups through a new program for 2010. A clear favourite for the day was the ‘Crazy Netball’ station with Kel Bradstock. Playing netball with a football was harder than expected, but the concept of ‘far,far away and ping it’ gave spreading out and throwing harder a whole new meaning. Luckily during match play in the afternoon the football was replaced with a netball and all groups showed the new skills that they had learnt throughout the day.
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Westlakes Tuesday 6th April |
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One of the smallest associations in the Hunter showed that size doesn’t matter. A great initiative from the association executive saw all of their 11 yr rep members sign up for the day. So excited to get underway, Katie started the clinic half an hour early. With everyone warmed up a little more than usual it was time to run through the skills stations. A very talented group of netballers raced through each of the stations and enjoyed a rest of the legs at the concentration station. Solving puzzles, shooting goals whilst blind folded, lifting a ball of the ground without touching it and using their creative flair to juggle three balls, emphasised the importance of being able to think whilst on the netball court.
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Maitland Sunday 11th April |
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After an unsuccessful attempt to run the clinic on April 7th due to rain the Maitland clinic was rescheduled to April 11th. It is always daunting to reschedule in case it rains again on the second date however we were lucky that the following Sunday really did make for a much better day. The sun was out and the kids were keen. This was the second clinic to be hosted at Maitland and it was rewarding to see a number of familiar faces return to the clinic for a second year. A new program and a new T-Shirt distinguished the two clinics and keeps the athletes learning and enjoying year after year. It never ceases to amaze me though how excited young athletes get over prizes. The lunchtime shooting competition is so fiercely competitive at Maitland with Freddo frogs being snapped up here faster than at any other clinic.
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Newcastle Sunday 2nd May |
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The Newcastle athletes are fortunate to have 3 former members of the Hunter Jaegers as their coaches. Many of the young up and coming netballers were lucky enough to see some of their coaches in action when the Jaegers were competing in the National League competition. This added an extra admiration for the tips that they were given throughout the coaching clinic. Tiffany Lincoln ran the athletes through their paces in the shooting station. Annabel Gazzoli a former WA for the Jaegers had athletes becoming familiar with the edge of the goal circle explaining the importance of being balanced and strong around the edge. To complete the court skills Bronwyn Denham enhanced the defensive skills of the athletes by perfecting the 3ft stance and aggressive intercept technique. The Babble team were proud to leave Newcastle knowing they had assisted in the development of the athletes full court game.
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Wests Sunday 16th May |
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Another first for the Babble Team, hosting a clinic at a club rather than an association. A familiar setting for many of our coaches as the Hunter Jaegers used to run clinics here during 2005-2007. The clinic in 2010 started with great excitement and high expectations. A dark cloud had loomed out to sea all morning and after we had been through our morning skills session and were just completing the specialist skills when the rain came pouring down. We waited, and waited, and waited. Luckily all the athletes had a sausage sandwich to eat as they waited. The rain didn’t stop and the athletes missed out on getting their match play. It took an hour for the rain to clear and the remaining athletes were treated to a shooting competition to finish off the day. A disappointing end to what was an energetic and dynamic session.
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Wyong Sunday 18th July |
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Coach, Katie Bradstock returned to her junior association making the Wyong clinic just a little more special. Again disrupted with rain the clinic was postponed until six weeks later. Fearing that athletes may have lost their motivation we were quickly re assured as the warm up began with high levels of enthusiasm. This continued throughout the day especially on the new ‘Gauntlet’ station. Ducking and weaving through flying netballs the athletes loved the feeling of being a Gladiator for 15mins. Large numbers of parents returned to see their young superstars in action and were pleasantly surprised as the athletes took to the court for match play. A new ‘Bag of Tricks’ consisting of all the new skills they had learnt during the day was obvious as they played netball matches of a high standard all afternoon.
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Singleton Sunday 6th June |
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An early start for the Babble Team as they headed north west for the Singleton Clinic. A cold start, but clear skies were a nice change as the week leading up to this clinic had delivered nothing but rain. Danielle Harvey joined the coaching team and treated athletes to a good workout as they moved through the defence station. The coaches really enjoy their days with the kids but lunch time is always a highlight. Normally it is Granma Pat feeding us healthy salad sandwiches and fresh fruit, but today she was unable to make the clinic so pies were on the menu. Little more was mentioned about the coaching as the flavour, texture, pastry and warmth of the pie was deliberated and praised after lunch. Singleton executive were a great help all the way through the clinic and we look forward to returning in 2011. |
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Muswellbrook Sunday 27th June
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This is the furthest the Babble Team travelled to run a clinic and it was another day that was well worth the effort. Regional centres in the Hunter have been very thankful for the visit by Babble Clinics and see continued benefits for running the day. A crisp start to the day meant that blue skies were out and we were going to be clear from rain delays. The athletes were happy as I think they had something to prove. Of all the clinics these were athletes who had their eye in at the shooting station. “We are the super stars of the world!” rang thick and fast as the athletes shot goal after goal forcing me to up the number of shots needed to win the competition. The athletes from Scone that made the effort to get to the clinic had a successful day and next year will be treated to a clinic in their home town. |
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Medowie Thursday 15th July
Nelson Bay Sunday 25th July |
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Our second club clinic and the beautiful new Medowie complex. A school holiday clinic seemed a perfect way for kids to get a good run around before returning to school the following week. The athletes at this clinic worked well as their groups were diverse in ages. Older players showed high levels of maturity as they assisted their younger team mates through drills and games. Again great interest was placed on winning prizes and as soon as the shooting competition began the athletes were lined up in anticipation. 3 shots out of 5 sounds easy enough, however our 10 minute shooting game extended to 20mins as we were still trying to get rid of the Freddo frogs. The match play in the afternoon was improved with the help of siblings filling in to make 7 on each of the courts. It was a fun atmosphere and a very enjoyable afternoon.
Nelson Bay Association boasts 500 registrations, and it was a great sight to see 90 of the registered athletes at the last Babble Netball Clinic for the year. Rain threatened to end the excitement as we ducked for cover at the completion of the skills rotation. A comment must be made on the amazing spread that was provided by the association to all athletes and coaches at morning tea. Fruit, muffins, sandwiches and drinks kept everyones energy levels up as the rain cleared and we returned to the courts for the specialist sessions. Each time a new group arrived at the shooting station I was astounded at the number of smiles and happy chatting that had arisen between players who earlier in the day were unable to name 2 friends in their group. This team bonding showed during match play as the skill level had definitely taken a step in the right direction. |
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