The Westlake Girls Premier Netball Team showed innovation and enthusiasm with their fundraising coaching clinic over the April school holidays.  On a beautiful Sunday, the team hosted 180 students from Year 1 to Year 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Students from all over the North Shore and as far away as Ponsonby participated in the clinic. They aimed to improve their skills and fitness before the Harbour Netball competition began. 

Divided into age groups of 10 to 12 players, the young hopefuls rotated around eight modules for three hours per session. The participants also had the opportunity to meet similar-aged players they would probably encounter during the season.  

Although they were unfamiliar with coaching such a wide range of ages, the Westlake Prems coped well with teaching Year 8s how to intercept while working on passing and catching with Year 1s. 

At the end of each session, there was an adorable moment when the college players jumped on the court to assist the little ones in gameplay.

The Westlake Girls Premier Team are fundraising for UNISS, the Upper North Island Secondary Schools Championship in September.  UNISS is the yearly qualifying tournament for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Netball Championships. 

Featured photo: Captain Jaz Zander’s stretching with the Year 1-3 students. Photo 2: The afternoon session of participants and coaches. Photo 3: Shooter Karmen Maritz coaching