Abby Murray is off to a running start.
Kangaroo Island Netball Association held its annual Junior skills clinic last week, with an overwhelming108 juniors ranging from seven to 16 years of age in attendance.
The program was run by NetballSA Community program co-ordinator, Hayley Gillies, Oakdale junior coach, Sam Finn and local netball identity Julie Helyar at the Parndana Sports club.
Many junior club coaches assisted in the warm conditions and this was certainly engaging for all participants.
The players were exposed to a variety of innovative drills covering fitness, balance, defence, goal shooting and leading. Though the weather was hot for the entire day the players pushed through every session rehydrating and refuelling for the next part of the program.
The feedback from the players and the parent helpers and coach volunteers was positive and encouraging that we can run a well-organised and highly attended clinic open to all skill levels. The girls had great fun and this is the key to any sport. Thanks to Sealink and Drakes Foodland for its sponsorship towards fundraising and the lunch and to the many helpers on the day.
At the end of the last session Emma Gaskin gave a small speech thanking the coaches for their instruction into netball which all the girls were appreciative of considering that we find it very difficult to attend these programs in Adelaide.
Our relationship with NetballSA is very solid and they are only to willing to assist us with programs that allow our members to reach their optimum goals at a minimal cost to our Association.
Watching the junior games on Saturday at Western Districts was a clear indication that these girls had improved their basic skills, spatial awareness, and goal shooting technique which will only get better as the season progresses. I hope to be able to arrange for this to happen again next year in collaboration with the pony club.