SSP NEWS

Netball 

This is the week the junior netball athletes have been preparing for in regard to Fast 5 Netball! Teams are sorted, pre- game dances have been created and the athletes have been fine tuning their netball skills and tactics. It’s been terrific observing the teamwork and leadership taking place as the athletes control their own positions, substitutes and game time. As an end of year celebration, friends and families have been invited to attend the junior Fast 5 match taking place on Thursday. 

Our Advanced Netball Clinic took place on the weekend with 80 Registrations, made up of Grade 5 and 6 students. There were 7 rotations covering Attacking, Defending, Strength and Conditioning, Goaling, Match Play, Testing and Recovery.  Under guidance of our SNP Staff, also including Australian Diamond Caitlin Thwaites, WHC students assisted in coaching, demonstrating skills, participating within rotation groups and were great ambassadors for our school and engaging within the community and potential future SNP candidates. 

SNP is launching an exciting opportunity for young male students to be part of a new WHC, High Performance initiative delivered through the Netball Program. The initiative seeks to engage keen and passionate male students to elevate their ability, performance and experiences inline with Specialist Sports Programs through exposure to high performance training environment in the Netball Program. We have already had boys roll through our training who enjoyed the challenge and opportunity. A come try session is being held next Wednesday 13th for further information please contact Cate Johnson Cate.Johnson@education.vic.gov.au

It’s been an incredible year of growth and achievement within the SNP, and we would like to congratulate all our student athletes on both their commitment to the SNP and their schooling. A massive thankyou to all our coaching staff, specialist coaches, Charlie Perks in S&C along with Seth and Nic Richardson in Athlete Development. Cate Johnson for her amazing organisation and coordination. Also a shout out to Mike Sneeling from thirdspace physiotherapy for his support of our student athletes and guidance and advise towards our program which is valued and appreciated.

We wish all our SNP student athletes and families and the greater school community a wonderful Christmas and New Year Period with family and friends and enjoy the break……… with training programs included!

Cheers,

Susan, Stacey, Ainsley and the Netball Staff

Soccer

As 2023 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on what a great year we have just experienced. 

The biggest thrill for me was seeing the smiles on the kids faces and the positive energy radiating from the kids in every session. There is no better feeling than seeing kids embrace and love what they do. When a kid is in this flow, he or she learns the most. The real beauty of this program is simply this. Having 20 like-minded kids all sharing the same passion and love of soccer. All wanting to get better daily, and all pushing each other to do so. The opportunities for improvements are endless for every child in every aspect of the game. 

The physical improvements from working with the elite staff in the Strength and Conditioning department has been remarkable. The kids have all learnt how to work in the gym properly with great technique so that they are capable and confident to take ownership of themselves in the gym. Technically and tactically the kids have improved significantly. Their first touch, running with the ball, ball mastery, shooting and 1v1 play have all progressed well.

Perhaps the greatest gift that sport can provide is confidence. We have seen the kids grow more confident with every week. Executing new skills, scoring more goals, saving goals, dribbling players and even understanding new elements of the game. All of these things as well as forming close bonds with their soccer cohort has made these kids walk tall in the school grounds. This, for us is perhaps the greatest and most satisfying element to our job, seeing personal development and growth through sport.

I want to thank all who have supported this program, and thank every kid who has helped create a fantastic vibe on a daily basis.

Have a great Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. See you all in 2024,

Joey and Sean