With Coach Chris taking a watching brief today, Michael, Tyler and Paul once again took centre stage to coach the girls. Over the last few weeks we have had several players leave the club, mainly U16s who are choosing to focus on their upcoming GCSEs. We wish them all the very best and thank them for all their hard work and commitment over the past season.

That said, we have also welcomed several new players in the younger age groups, and we would like to give a huge welcome to you all. We’re delighted to have you at the club and look forward to seeing you develop over the coming weeks.

Today’s session focused on playing through an opponent. We set up three teams of 3–4 players across three zones on the floor. Teams had to complete three or more passes before attempting to move the ball through to the other side, navigating through the middle three defenders.

The ball had to stay below head height, and we added extra challenges such as introducing an additional defender and encouraging first-time passes. Players were asked to think about moving the ball quickly and looking to pass across the middle as soon as possible, developing both awareness and decision-making under pressure.

First Hour – Amy W-C – Amy is another of our new players and is already starting to show what a good little player she is. Her first touch is improving nicely and she does everything with a huge smile on her face, which is great to see. A warm welcome to the club, Amy!

Second Hour – Emily W – We know Emily has been dealing with a few injury concerns recently, but whenever she is able to get on court she shows real class and is a joy to watch. Her confidence on the ball and willingness to try different bits of skill really stand out. Top effort, Emily!

Third Hour – Daisy S – One of our overage players heading to Italy, and today Daisy showed just what an asset she will be to the squad. A top-quality worker who is both physical and quick, she sets a great example for the group. We’re looking forward to seeing her inspire some of the younger players. Top job, Daisy!

A huge well done to Michael for taking charge of the coaching over the last two weeks. Let me tell you, it is not easy! Standing in front of a group of 9 and 10-year-old young ladies can be a frightening thought for many people, and it takes courage and commitment to step up and lead sessions week after week.

Today I spent my time watching the sessions, making notes, and speaking with the players afterwards. It’s always useful to step back occasionally and observe how things are running. Just as we allow players the time and space to learn, make mistakes and develop their skills, we also need to allow our coaches the same opportunity to learn how to coach and build their confidence.

It is also important to remember that our coaches are volunteers. They give up their spare time, receive no payment, and work hard behind the scenes to plan and deliver sessions that are educational, challenging and, most importantly, enjoyable for the girls. Striking the right balance between teaching new skills, keeping players engaged, and making sure everyone is having fun is not an easy task.

Michael and Tyler are both at the stage where they are building their experience and finding their own coaching styles. That takes time, patience and support from everyone involved with the club. Every session they run helps them grow in confidence and develop their ability to lead and organise the group. So I would ask everyone to please be patient with Michael and Tyler as they continue on this journey. With encouragement and support from players, parents and fellow coaches, they will keep improving and becoming the very best coaches they can be — and that will only benefit the girls and the club as a whole.

Note to Coach Chris: Just a gentle reminder to put the memory card back in the camera after the ladies’ games. Apparently cameras work much better when they actually have a memory card in them… who knew!