There’s been a huge push, rightly so, in recent years for ‘rock up and play’ netball: aimed mainly at ladies who are inactive, lacking self esteem and / or time poor. Programmes such as Back to Netball, Netball Now and Walking Netball have been unbelievably successful.
I believe, this has come at somewhat of a cost, with enormous pressure on already busy volunteers and the very nature of the programmes, not necessarily providing fresh blood!
I wonder if you know who in your netball club or team, does the following things?
🏐 Orders equipment and kit
🏐 Puts out posts
🏐 Makes sure first aid kit is replenished
🏐 Washes the bibs
🏐 Works out the finances
🏐 Organises the end of season shin-dig
That’s just a few ‘duties’ off the top of my head, before we even think about affiliations (ENgage doesn’t seem to be making things any easier at the moment. But there was always going to be teething problems!), league entry, safeguarding and first aid courses and the dreaded CAPs accreditation. I have the misfortune of being in charge of my clubs reaccreditation at the moment, for the second time! (‘Please help Debs, it’s so much easier now it’s online!’ Liars!)
And that’s just team or club volunteers, let’s not get started on those wonderful people who dedicate time to league committees, county committees, regional and higher! These people have huge responsibilities for governing and organising netball on a large scale and very rarely get the credit they deserve.
I’m a passionate advocate of netball volunteers - always first to fight their cause in my former role for the National Governing Body. And always eager to point out their dedication and sacrifice to any ‘ballers (especially those not contributing!) if they criticise!
There is just not enough consideration for those organising netball, from those who participate, in my opinion!
For example - we’re playing in a couple of pre season tournaments, the first one tonight. What’s App has been pinging with organisational stuff such as kit, bibs, umpiring responsibilities etc and also with excitement from players!
Ping goes What’s App, this morning, one player, who frankly should know better ‘Cant play tonight ladies!’. Not even an apology, but that aside, there’s been no consideration that she’s on the umpiring rota, or that if we can’t get someone to replace her we are actually short of £s to enter the tournament! That’s not to mention the effort that’s gone in to getting a team together in the first place.
It’s also that time of the year where trials / selections are being completed. The amount of time and effort that goes into organising these selections is quite phenomenal and you just wouldn’t realise unless you have been involved! Consideration has to be made to every players’ 1st, second and sometimes third positions, what combinations you play to ensure fairness, every player gets similar court time, you have independent selectors and umpires and most of the time that’s not enough! You always get trialists who don't turn up at the last minute - throwing all those considerations up in the air! You also get players who have no intention of sticking around if they don’t get into the team they think they should be in - what a waste of time and energy that is!
I don’t believe it’s a netball problem, I don’t believe it’s a sport problem. I actually think it’s a society issue but we will leave the ‘snowflake’ debate for another day!
Going back to my ‘off the top of my head’ list above. It does occur to me that that list of things that needs to be done on a regular basis, in order for netball to happen, may well be completed by just one person! That person is likely to have a family, work full time, or both. He or she doesn’t get paid to do those things, I would bet money that they aren’t even thanked for doing them, regularly. Yet, so many people benefit from the actual action of them being completed.
I am also passionate about awards for volunteers as I think this is one of the best ways to recognise and acknowledge their efforts. Imagine my surprise when I couldn’t nominate my Walking netball volunteers for the NGB Goalden globe awards because they’re not affiliated! A strong example of our fabulous game evolving fast but the infrastructure that supports it, not evolving fast enough!
I also feel for Coaches.
Now, many coaches, including grass roots are paid for their work, which is a great step forward and sets out progress for the future, where we may well see more professional netball coaches at different levels.
A quick poll of my fellow local coaches ( and I understand this isn’t very scientific but it’s just an example!) confirms that most qualified Level 2’s earn an average of £15 for an hours session. Not a bad payment for an hour of doing what you love, you may think! Now consider the following:
🏐 Planning session
🏐 Sorting equipment
🏐 Planning rehab / programme for injured players
🏐 Travel
🏐 Post session analysis
🏐 Communication of analysis / team selection
🏐 Dealing with after hours player queries
🏐 CPD / qualifications
Now think £15 is a good deal?
I have less experience or knowledge of other roles such as umpires, assessors, mentors, timers, scorers - the list is endless! But I bet they are also on the end of a pretty raw deal and more often than not do it for the love of the game!
There is no doubt that these wonderful volunteers wouldn’t do it if they didn’t want to. . I commend them, support them and thank them often for their passion, hard work and dedication. I know what it’s like to be a volunteer and I also know what it’s like to try and manage and motivate volunteers. I’m privileged to see both sides.
So, it’s my request after reading this blog that I ask ‘ballers to do two things please:
🏐 Say thank you the next time you see your Captain / Coach / netball volunteer. Believe me it goes a long way.
🏐 Have some consideration for what goes in to making netball happen! Sometimes we can’t help cancel best laid plans and it’s the last thing we want to do. Shit happens!
BUT if it’s just because you can’t be bothered or it’s your Uncles, girlfriends’ cousins’ dog’s birthday party (I’ve heard worse excuses!) have a think about those who could be bothered to make that game, that tournament or that other netball event, happen for you.
Up and down the country week on week, month after month and year after year netball volunteers create thousands of opportunities for ‘ballers to actually play. Imagine if they didn’t.
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