Olympic Park Netball Trip

On the 22nd January 2016 20 students from the Year 8 and Year 9 Netball teams went to see England play Australia at the Copper Box Arena at the Olympic Park. This match was part of a three day International Series between two of the top nations in the World. It was a chance for the girls to see some of the most famous and talented Netball players in the world.

The girls were able to take a lot from this experience: they witnessed the warm ups the International player do, not too dissimilar from the ones we do at GMS. They saw the strength and discipline the players need on court; the speed of passing and the pace the players have; the patience the teams have moving the ball down court and feeding into the circle; the affect that different types of marking has on the flow of an attacking team; and the accuracy of the shooting from both teams. The girls have been inspired from watching the game and would very much like to go on a similar trip in the future when other countries come over for a test series.

Throughout the match the girls were transfixed by the skill and excitement of the game. The atmosphere within the Arena was brilliant and all girls thoroughly enjoyed it. At the end of the game the GMS girls got the opportunity to meet some of the players, getting autographs and photographs with them. Since being back at school students have benefitted from watching footage of the game during lessons and at netball club. Whilst speaking to Australian Coach, Lisa Alexander, after the game she shared advice for both young netballers and coaches. For the teachers her advice was to “have high expectations at every level, no matter what the drill or activity always want more”. For the students her advice was simple: “never give up, always be prepared to make mistakes in practice, show 110% commitment and just keep listening to everything your teacher or coach says”.