A NETBALL club in Helensburgh has launched an urgent appeal for coaches as they attempt to recover from struggles brought on by the pandemic.
G84 Junior Netball Club provide teams to primary 1/2, primary 3/4, under 11s, under 13s and under 15/17s, but have recently lost a host of coaches for a variety of reasons.
And speaking exclusively to the Advertiser, chairperson Henry Pryce admits after two years of restrictions of varying degrees, some haven’t returned to the coaching set-up.
He said: “For two years, people have just had other things on their mind. But we’re quite stretched in our coaching just now. We’ve basically got three coaches covering five age groups.”
Henry Pryce says the G84 Junior Netball Club is in desperate need of new coaching blood to help bring on the next generation of players
Some coaches have left the netball set-up due to moving away from the area or deciding just to take a step back from coaching.
Mr Pryce put out appeals on the club’s social media channels with mixed results and revealed he had to cancel two training sessions last week due to having no one available to train the players.
Before the pandemic the club had 93 players across all age groups.
When indoor training resumed in September last year, they had lost 43 players, with just 50 affiliated players returning.
To help the G84 group out, two former players have stepped in to take the older age group.
Mr Pryce added: “They have just started university. They are fantastic.
The G84 Junior Netball Club’s under-13 squad, Gone Wild, pictured in January 2020 - shortly before the pandemic struck and put training, matches and tournaments on hold
“They were fantastic players and from what I have seen they will make fantastic coaches. But we only have two 18-year-old girls looking after our squads.”
The club are looking to rebuild following the challenges of the past two years and offer strength and conditioning to the older age groups that work on the fitness of the players.
As well as new coaches to lead the players, the club is also on the lookout for youngsters who want to play the sport, with the opportunity to learn the game, play in competitive league matches and tournaments around the country on offer.
If anyone has netball coaching qualifications, is able to commit as much time as they can spare and willing to assist the G84 club, they can contact the club at g84secretary@gmail.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here