PLAYERS may be stuck off the courts for now due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has not prevented Penola netballers from staying connected.
Eagles’ A Grade coach Kaitlin Egan has devised a program to keep the senior players fit and motivated while the 2020 Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara season is on hold.
All players selected in the A and A Reserve squad split into groups and communicate through social media, which has allowed them to retain a training routine and keep motivated.
KNT netball was scheduled to start on Saturday before its postponement and Egan said the feeling around the netball fraternity at the moment was a mixture of disappointment and hope.
“We are extremely disappointed that we did not go ahead on Saturday, but I guess we are still somewhat hopeful that we can have some sort of season,” she said.
“Hopefully this is over sooner than we think.”
However, testing times often breed new innovations and the Eagle’s new training system has so far been a massive success.
“We have been trying to keep the girls really motivated so I have set up a bit of a group chat,” Egan said.
“I have assigned four girls into a group and they have a group leader – and I am in each group as well, along with the A Reserve coach (Josie Abbey).
“In that group they have to post their workouts they have been doing – I have given them some workouts to do and obviously there are plenty about on the internet and some of the girls are pretty creative as well.”
Players are required to post their workouts in their group chat, with the aim to complete four a week.
However, Egan said several players have been exceeding that number, which is helping to keep motivation levels high.
The system not only boosts morale, but also keeps everyone accountable, as players drive each other to reach their targets.
“It has been really good and I think it has been quite positive,” Egan said.
“Obviously we are missing seeing everyone every week, so it is nice to have this sort of communication between a few of us.”
In addition to the weekly workout routine, there have also been some extra team building exercises thrown in.
“(Last weekend) I got the team leaders to set a challenge for their group so everyone in their group had to complete a certain amount of something,” Egan said.
“For example one group had to do 500 pushups, 500 situps, 500 squats – maybe about six exercises each – and they had to work together in their group to be able to complete that over the weekend.
“Every group did that which was awesome.”
While the vibes remain positive around the netballers, Egan said it was still a disappointment to not have kicked off the season on Saturday.
“We were really looking forward to this year, with Heidi Clark being one of the new recruits and myself being able to play,” she said.
“It is disappointing that we have not been able to play, but hopefully we can still have some sort of season or if not, continue that for next year.”
Penola had a full pre-season behind it along with two trial games against Glencoe and West Gambier – with a third against Millicent cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.
The Eagles were in a good position heading into round one, but will now need to remain focused on maintaining their fitness on the chance the season is able to start.
Despite all that, Egan said the club was fairly lucky when compared to countless other people and organisations doing it tough during the pandemic and she is eager to hit the courts when football and netball is finally given the all clear.
