The Netball Mentor

06/08/2026

As coaches we come across players that show so much potential and capability yet they may not connect with the bigger picture. Some players just want to have a run and play with their friends, others want to be competitive and grow to higher grades and outcomes.

We need to remember this. They may not have the “toughness” in their game, or the desire to even want it.

When we coach the person we have to accept that being a nice person for 99% of the week is much better than having the toughness for the 1% required for high grades. If the player doesn’t have it, that’s ok.

Some are lucky they can switch between both.

Time and maturity can flick the switch sometimes, yet it’s when the player/person wants it. When they grow the desire to get stronger physically and mentally to play at the level you can see them at.

We see the potential, we can guide them, but it has to come from within themselves. Also, if it doesn’t come, or they don’t click right now, it doesn’t mean they won’t ever. Remember the game is theirs, not ours.

Don’t push so hard that a sweet player may lose the love of their game.

30/03/2026

Is was watching the Adelaide Thunderbirds game and it reminded me of how important “timing” and “good passing” is. It also reminded me that I must remember to teach this to my team.
It doesn’t matter about the age or grade. These two skills are essential for good flow and success at moving the ball down the court.
With little ones it starts with not crowding but to stay in your “space” until it’s your turn and then when the player lands and turns that’s when the next player makes her lead. This will develop correct timing and keep court structure and space on the court for clearer movement.
Now the correct passing - well there is a lot of layers in that statement.
The type of pass
The strength of the pass
The speed of the pass
The placement of the pass
Just to name a few.
We can all benefit from practice all types of passing and using all types of scenarios.
Oh and I think Thunderbirds could be the team to try and beat this year in SSN. Precision netball.

22/02/2026

New year and new netball season! How exciting for everyone.

Your clubs will be starting registration and trials for teams and grading. With this in mind I thought a reminder to all of a few things.

1. Players need to practice now with passing and basic skills. Remember it’s been a few months off so you need to remind the brain and body of what to do .
2. Play any position required for trials. Absolutely put your positions down, yet sometimes we need people to try other positions. We cannot select a team of WAs.
2. Sometimes we don’t have the luxury of several teams per age group or division. So we need to work with abilities that are available. (Coaches can teach these required skills).
3. If you are lucky to have enough players for a few grades per division, then the selectors will usually, select in ability or potential order, 3 shooting players, 4 mid court players and 3 defenders.
4. The selectors cannot also select 3 of the same style of player e.g. 3 posting shooters. There needs to be variety of styles and ability.
5. Players show your sportsmanship and willingness to try hard on all occasions. It is another positive in the selectors mind.
6. If you may not get the team you were hoping to get, or the grade, that’s ok. Make sure you turn up, listen, apply and grow as a player and maybe next year your wishes will come.
7. Coaches and selectors, be careful not to get caught watching the flashy or loud players only. Be sure you watch every player on court and can give feedback as to your decisions on their ability. Also don’t get side swiped by other selectors opinions and taking your attention away from the game.

Lastly, putting teams together is tough. Clubs take a long time to find the right combinations and coaches and grades for all teams. Let’s appreciate their efforts.

Happy netball for 2026.

06/12/2025

Our netball seasons are all over now as we head into the Christmas season.
It’s these moments that we take the time to be with loved ones and family. We celebrate the growth and the learnings of the year gone by.
For our netball families, we need to take the time to do the same. Celebrate our growth and learnings.
Too often we only talk in “wins and losses” or “championships and grand finals”.
What we forget is you can have lots of “wins” yet not be growing as a person or as a player/coach.
The hardest team to coach is the team who always wins. It’s hard to teach them something or for the players to try new strategies when the mind and competition doesn’t allow the opportunity.
So next time you talk with your netball friends, try to discuss what your growth and learnings were this season.
Or better still, tell your coach! They would love to hear what you got from the season and then you can discuss the next seasons plans.
Happy holidays. 🎄

25/07/2025

This is going to be a fantastic game!

Kayo Sports, Foxtel and Binge.

31/05/2025

Sometimes a loss in a game is good thing.

Firstly, the game side of things gives the coach and players a variety of items to work on and improve. Use what they learnt from the loss and decipher why and how they could adjust or change to over come the situation.
This could be mentally, skill wise or strategy.

We need to accept that we don’t always have everything in the netball tool box and that growing and learning is part of sport and life. It’s also part of the fun and the challenge of playing sport.

Then there is the loss and the process to the individual player.
Mentally they need to understand that they cannot always win. Eventually, that is not a benefit on any level. They need to accept loss and make it a positive by breaking down what can be improved or changed. What they need to learn and add to their skill set.

Understanding and respecting a good opponent is very important. A good opponent makes you a better player and coach. They push us to think outside the box, they push us to become more skilled, more disciplined and a stronger team.

Sadly, in our beloved netball world too many blame and belittle others when they don’t win. This doesn’t teach our children anything. It breeds poor sportmanship. Eventually it breeds arrogance in their attitude to the world.

Try to be the coach or player that takes a loss and turns it into the positive it should be. Analyse it and break down the did well and the didn’t do well. Then how to change that moving forward.

And sometimes, it’s just the opposition is a better team. Sometimes you have to lose to get a win.

14/04/2025

I find it interesting, that not many players are taught how to use the “fake pass” to engage the opponent into a move and then whilst they are lured out of the way, or up in the air, change the pass to deliver directly to their team mate.
As players get older or higher in grades, the defence play increases and becomes more tactical. This is when the fake is a great skill to have mastered and applied as needed.

02/02/2025

BALANCE - it’s one of the major skills that supports everything we do, even not netball related things.
Your players need to understand that balance helps them stand tall and strong, run strong leads, creates better passing and less footwork errors.
Teach your players that when they catch and land, to know their grounded foot and then move the other to get a good solid stance for “balance”.
This way they are taller and in control to see their options on the court better, then they have the full body strength, not just the arm/s to be able to execute the pass.
Balance when we shoot is vital to correct aim and follow through of the shot and then to rebound.
It’s also critical to body on body contest like GS/GK when they are protecting space or closing options. Unbalance players cause more contact and obstruction.

Start then young on how important balance is.

Have a nice day.