Shan Jensen-Loach CoachForce Development Officer Sport Bay of Plenty

Trials are completed, teams are selected and coaches have been appointed; Netball time is here again - let the games begin.

This can be a daunting time for some coaches who have accidentally become a coach to their son or daughter's netball team because no one else is available. If you find yourself in this situation or you would just like to improve areas of your coaching know that there is support out there for you.

All school Sports Coordinators and Netball Teacher in Charge (TIC) in schools are regularly forwarded information to give to their coaches and your local netball centre has a Coach Coordinator who can advise you on coach development opportunities in your area to help grow your knowledge and confidence.

These coach development opportunities arise from Netball New Zealand's Coach Development Framework www.mynetball.co.nz/communitynetball/coach and following planning with local centres, workshops and modules have been planned for the season. You can view these either on your centre website or the zone website www.netballwbop.co.nz . They are listed for each month and you can attend any centre that suits you. Registration details are outlined with the attached flyer.

In the junior space the newly named ANZ FutureFERNS Junior Netball programme continues for our year 1 & 2s and begins for our Year 3 & 4s. The 26 centres in the WBOP Zone are all on board and have been working closely with their schools to ensure our FutureFERNS have plenty of support in their skill based sessions and modified game. If you would like to know more about the changes to Junior Netball nationally please visit www.mynetball.co.nz/juniornetball or if you could support with an hour per week, please contact your local centre.

As the Coach Development Officer for this region, I am here to support the development of our Netball coaches which ultimately benefits our players. To do this I work closely with the schools and the centres and am always contactable by email shan.jensen-loach@netballwbop.co.nz or phone 0276313243.