Catherine Best, a Community Coach, shares how she got into netball coaching and why coaches make the game.
It was upon semi-retirement in February 2023 that I decided I wanted to play a more active role in netball. So, I’m no spring chicken. I had played netball at school and apart from some occasional play, my practice over the years had been limited. It didn’t stop me though and I decided I would go all out and achieve what I could. The opportunities came thick and fast.
Within four days of semi-retirement, I joined a Walking Netball club in Bridlington. Soon after I became a member of England Netball and in July, I completed the Level 1 assistant coach training and applied for funding for the Level 2 course, of which I was successful; I start my training in June. I also completed the Walking Netball Host Training in September 2023 and I now host my very own Walking Netball session!
In 2024, I heard about becoming a Community Coach with England Netball, and I now have kit and have also been kindly offered a free place on the UK Coaching platform by England Netball. This has given me a great opportunity to develop my coaching skills in a variety of situations and to become the best coach I can be. There is no stopping me!
I have also benefitted from NETBALLHer; a fantastic opportunity for coaches in particular to develop their understanding of both girls and women’s health. Puberty, pregnancy and the menopause as well as life in between, can all impact negatively on girls and women’s health, and coaches are in a great position to help steer us through this significant period of change through all our lives. Quite often this is the time when girls and women will stop playing netball, so coaches can help steer us safely through these often-rocky periods in our lives and help us come through the other end…
There are 130 active Community Coaches across the country. Feeling inspired to get involved yourself? Email CommunityCoaches@englandnetball.co.uk and find out more about coaching here: https://englandnetball-admin.soticcloud.net/be-involved/coaching/courses
READ THE FULL story at source: https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/the-huddle-uk-coaching-week-there-is-no-stopping-me/
