The Wright Call is back in 2012!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The Wright Call is back in 2012! In his first blog for the year, NSW Swifts Assistant Coach Rob Wright talks about this weekend’s Netball NSW Conference, his ‘degustation menu’ of video analysis and some tips for those attending for the first time...

I’m really looking forward to the Netball NSW Conference this weekend. I see education as the key to developing the sport whether it is the administrators, players, coaches or umpires. Over the years, the Conference has grown into being a complete package; there’s something for everyone. Can you tell that I’m excited about it?

I think the bit that I’m most excited about this year is the on-court sessions; they’re new in 2012 and I think it will take the Conference to an all new high. People are crying out, particularly from a coaching viewpoint, to see on-court coaching and drills; they really like the practical stuff because that’s what coaches do and I’m very excited that we’re able to provide them with the opportunity to see it all in action.

We’re using a number of the NSWIS and State Team athletes during our on-court sessions. These sessions are always good fun to run, well I think they are. I know that the purpose of the session is to provide some practical examples for the participants, however the opportunity to put some of these players in pressure situations in front of 100-plus people will also be great for their development because they need to know how to perform under pressure whether it’s during DOOLEYS State League or at the National Netball Championships, so really it’s a win-win for everyone.

Not only am I presenting an on-court session, but I’m also presenting on one of my favourite topics: video analysis. There’ll be a bit of everything in this session, sort of like a degustation menu really. I’m going to explore some of the concepts that all teams can use in terms of analysis as well as some great cross-sport sharing ideas that have been developed with performance analysts from the NBA, NHL and AFL to name a few. I’ve been lucky enough to share some great ideas with these people which will show participants what is possible and the different ways things can be done – it should be great!

One of the things I’m really looking forward to this weekend is popping my head into some of the umpiring sessions. In my opinion we need to keep trying to bridge the gap between umpires and coaches because there’s so much we can learn from each other. That’s the beauty of this weekend; there’s a real opportunity for people to develop an appreciation of all areas of our sport.

If you’re attending the Netball NSW Conference for the first time this weekend my advice to you is to soak up as much information as you can. You’ll hear lots of ideas and sometimes they’ll be different to what you’re used to or they might reinforce what you do. But rather than try to implement everything, pick a couple that are appropriate or aimed at what you do.

It’s just a feast of netball which I think is going to make for an exciting weekend.

Rob

Don’t forget you can see the NSW Swifts in action for the first time in 2012 against an ANZ Championship team, when they go head-to-head with the Melbourne Vixens on Saturday 25 February (an exciting addition to the Netball NSW Conference) at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre – purchase tickets