Netball
Netball season on a knife-edge
It’s been a staple diet during winter terms for thousands of schools across the country for many years.
But netball has been particularly hard hit by the virus – and schools admit it will only be later in the year that life on court will be able to return to normal.
A shortage of competitive matches has meant that the returning School Sport Magazine National Schools U12, U13 and U15 Cups had to be postponed until next season.
And Netball England bosses are working hard behind the scenes to try and stage the longstanding U14, U16 and U19 national competitions later this term – albeit in a revised and shortened format.
Like many, Forest School in London didn’t play any fixtures against other
schools and their girls only had matches in their year group bubbles.
Claire Risk, head of netball, explained: “The matches we have had have taken place during games sessions and also on some Saturdays and some after-school and lunch time clubs.
“We have been trying to get the girls to play within Covid rules and we are vigilant about sanitizing every 15 minues and cleaning equipment.
“This term was officially our hockey term so our girls haven’t missed netball as much as they probably will this term.
“We are not having any fixtures until at least half term but I will do everything within the government regulations (and our SMT decisions) to have matches within our year group bubbles.
“Anything that has been put on for them, like a friendly match within their year group bubble, has been really well received by the girls and I am confident they will be really disappointed if they don’t get any inter-school matches this term.
“This is particularly the case for senior pupils, as our senior teams are a combination of three year groups, so they really get to extend themselves and play at a high level when they are the top couple of teams.
“Also top players in younger year groups have missed out on playing up with older ages for cup matches.”
It’s a similar story at Sevenoaks School in Kent where head of netball Lauren Cripps is looking forward to netball’s return.
She explained: “We weren’t able to compete much last term although,
fortunately, we have still managed to maintain training for our senior and county squads and our junior pupils which has been great.
“This term we are hoping to return to fixtures at some point. But of course the big question is when.
“It is unlikely that this will happen before half term. In the meantime we will be training all 22 teams next term and hosting interform competitions across fast fives, normal netball and high 5s to keep them all engaged.
“All of the girls are missing netball in its fullest form, especially some of our year 6s for whom this would have been their last full term of sport. It’s a shame for them to end their school careers this way but at least some are still getting training outside of school.”
Issue No.81 January/February/March 2021 SCHOOL SPORT 11
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