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Berkhamsted v's Tring
Match report by Sally Whittle, Berkhamsted Coach
Having started out in September 2010, the back to netball sessions in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire soon took off. (Over 40 ladies have now signed up). As the weeks went on, the ladies motivation remained unwavering and there keenness to play the game was to be admired.
I therefore contacted the Laura Davies the coach who runs the nearest B2N session to us, in Tring, and organized a home and away fixture for the ladies.
Our home match at the end of November saw very keen netballers take the field. They were playing against a team that had being playing for sometime who had some previous club experience. Nonetheless even though the Berkhamsted Ladies had not played competitive team sport since school and felt extremely nervous, they came out playing with tenacity and resolve and really did give Tring a game. Possession, passing, defending and team work by both teams were to be admired. Even though the final score was 17-3 to Tring, this did not reflect in what the game entailed.
Our away fixture at Tring at the beginning of December was as nerve racking for the second group of Berkhmasted ladies. They came out on a night that had seen the majority of the country hit the lowest temperatures for some time.
This did not stop them though. Once again both teams showed what team work could do, working for each other and really thinking about how to “look after the ball.” Tring got the better of us 17-12, but Berkhamsted ladies were thrilled that they had bettered the score. They were buzzing after the match and couldn’t understand why they had not taken up the sport sooner!
All those that participated thoroughly enjoyed playing and are keen to play some more competitive matches. They are also hoping to take part in any B2N tournaments that may take place in the new year.
Essex Back to Netball Tournament
The first Netball East Back to Netball Tournament is due to take place on Saturday 22nd May 2010 at Chelmer Park Netball Courts, Chelmsford from 11am - 2pm. The tournament is designed to give the ladies who have been attending the various Back to Netball sessions in Essex the chance to practice the skills they have learnt against ladies of a similar standard. We hope it will be an enjoyable day for all and results of the tournament will be reported on this website after the event!
Attleborough vs Swaffham - the re-match!
Match report provided by Fay Manning, Attleborough Coach
Attleborough hosted a very exciting re-match on 19th March. Swaffham fielded one team and made a very good start. Attleborough had two teams and were slow to start but picked up during the evening to win 18-11. Having not been at the first match I was shocked but excited to see how competitive the match was. The match was fast and furious and the ball moved from end to end quickly. A good range of skills were performed resulting in some great shooting and intercepting from both teams.
From my perspective as Attleborough Coach, I felt that the ladies really thought about the skills learnt in training and tried very hard to put them into practice especially the spacing and balance of the court.
A regular attendee at Attleborough and the GS for one of the teams, Vicki Franklin-Brown comments after the match "I think the main thing that I get from the netball, is how we have come together as a group and how we are making new friends as well as enjoying ourselves and re-learning the skills of Netball. The whole ethos of the game is coming through and is shown by how we are working together as a team no matter what the age or experience".
Attleborough vs Swaffham in Back to Netball Friendly!
On Thursday 28th January 2010, 25 women from Attleborough and Swaffham took to the court at Swaffham Leisure Centre for their first friendly match, since both Back to Netball sessions began in September 2009.
It was an extremely enjoyable evening, with both teams putting into practice all the skills they had learnt over the weeks. In the end, Attleborough pulled away and took the overall win, but both teams enjoyed the experience. A return leg is already being planned and will be heald at Attleborough Sports Hall in the near future!