I love a good tournament: typically you play shorter matches, against teams of varying ability, whilst chatting away to team mates, arch-rivals, partners, children… It is a great way to gain some match experience, try out some new players and try out some new positions. There are many types of tournament: you can go on a netball tour; play in the International Netball Festival in Disneyland Paris; travel further overseas; play at Pontins; or simply find a local Netball League that runs it’s own tournament. The atmosphere is always amazing, and, no matter what shape or size the tournament comes in, it is fun!
My first tournament experience was in 2015, when I was invited to play with Swadlincote Netball Club in the Nostalgia Tournament, run by Derbyshire’s Village Games. Whilst Swifts were already an established team, I was playing in the Back to Netball team with fellow newbies. It was well organised, with matches played over 4 weekends at 4 different venues and mini trophies given out to the winners and runners-up. Swad Back to Netball came runner-up in the 2nd division. Unfortunately, Village Games was unable to host a 2016 or 2017 tournament, but hopefully, they’ll do another one soon.
Swadlincote Netball Club played in a Versatility Tournament in 2016; a charity netball tournament, made up of 10minute halves, with about 8 teams, each team member picking their bib from a bag and having to play in that position. Shooters were playing at centre, centres were playing in defence, defenders were giving the wing a try… Truly a versatility tournament. Margaret Warren’s Netball Ninjas were the only junior team, but they thrived on the experience of playing adult teams. A fun day out at Maurice Lea Park in Swadlincote. But I can tell you something for nothing, I am not fit enough to play Centre, nor am I tall enough at 5ft to play in defence.
When we were invited to play in the NWL Tournament in 2016, Swadlincote Netball Club decided to enter 2 teams, Swifts and Starlings, to play along side 16 other teams, on 1 of the hottest Sundays of the year. What a day it was. Swifts showed off their hard work, with shooting prowess, determined interceptions and solid defending. Starlings didn’t have such a great time of it and lost every match, but we didn’t care. We were establishing ourselves in the Club for what was really our first Club event, laughing, joking and supporting each other. There was music, a bouncy castle for the kids, ice-cream and sports massages (provided by Optimum Performance). It was brilliantly organised and well received with most teams staying for the play offs and finals. There were a lot of sun-kissed netballers leaving Ashby School, tired and elated, that day.
This year, we hope, will be bigger and better. On Sunday 4 June, at Ashby School, around 20 teams will battle it out to become this year’s Tournament Champions. There are new teams involved (it’s great to see Rutland Netball League entering a couple of teams); there are old teams wanting to settle some on court scores; and there is still the bouncy castle, ice-cream and sports massages.
So, why not enter your team and come and see why I love a good tournament.