Satellite Academy
This is the first entrance into the Excel Pathway and the focus is on individual development. This stage coincides with peak motor learning, therefore the athletes are learning how to train and develop the skills of Netball. They are also learning the basic technical/tactical skills, and ancillary capacities including:
• Warm up and cool down
• Stretching
• Hydration and nutrition
• Recovery
• Relaxation and focusing
Although the focus is on training and skill development, competition should be used to rest and refine skills. The training to competition ratio is 75%-25%. Athletes should be competing in appropriate club (county and regional leagues) and school competition.
One of the main reasons athletes plateau during the later stages of their career is because of the over emphasis on competition and not developing a range of skills during this very important stage
Outcome of programme: To achieve the standards outlined under Satellite Academy in the Excel Guidelines.
Age of players: Recommended as U14 but age range to be kept flexible to cater for individual needs and motivation. For advice contact the Regional Excel Coach.
Progression: County Academy. If the athlete has reached their potential at Satellite Academy it is recommended that they continue their training at club level. Georgia Cooke tells her story below.
My name is Georgia Cooke I am in the satellite academy. I am going to share my experiences with you about trialing for the academy and what we do in the sessions. Also what I want to achieve in the future.
I first trialed for the satellite academy two years ago in 2008; I got selected to go from my club coach Tracey Butcher. I arrived at the trials very nervous and shy! We got our numbers and then started warming up. They got us into some drills to show our skills. We then played some games so they could see our game skills; I was really pleased with how I played. I had to wait for a few weeks to get an email to say I had got into the second trial or not. I got an email saying I hadn't made it.
I got through the first round and was so happy. The next stage was to go and play with the people that had been in the academy before. So there was a lot to prove so had to put in all of my effort. We did a warm up then some drills and skills after that we did games. This trail was a bit more intense.
I got an email saying I didn't get in. I was really upset and though that was it the end. Then I got an email on my birthday saying we want you to come to our first training session as we have re-thought. I thought it was a dream. I arrived at the first training session; I was ready to put in all of my effort I knew this could be my last time to shine. I was so pleased when the session had finished and told me I had got in. I couldn't believe it.
We got a sheet and had to print some sheets off the website. In the satellite academy you have to do a fitness diary so they know what and how much fitness you do a week. Also you have to do a food diary for parts of the academy so they know what your diet includes. You also do a self profile each session on how you feel before and after the session like personal organisation, body control and confidence. In the session you work on one particular thing like turn in the airs, defending or shooting. You do a sprint at the start and end of each and every session. One of the sessions you will do a bleep test to see how fit you are!
I hope I get further up the scale in the next couple of years; from satellite - county - regional. I really hope one day I become an England player and that is my dream. I love the sessions so much and it pushes me right to the limit in the 2 hour sessions every other Saturday.