A new partnership between Netball Tasmania and Guilford Young College (GYC) is giving students access to high-quality netball coaching within the college environment, with early results showing strong engagement and skill development across all ability levels.
The Netball Tasmania Endorsed School Program offers senior secondary students at GYC weekly on-court sessions led by Netball Tasmania coach Fiona Geappen, alongside strength and conditioning and theory sessions focused on athlete performance. A key feature of the program is its inclusivity: it is open to students of all abilities, regardless of their playing background or experience.
GYC teacher Hollie Moore says the program has been a standout initiative for the college. "The Netball program has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to further develop their skills and understanding of the game within a senior secondary environment," she says. "Fi brings a high level of coaching experience and a wealth of knowledge, which has been incredibly valuable for the students to be exposed to, as many may not otherwise have access to this level of coaching through club netball."
Moore says the partnership has created something genuinely positive for students. "The partnership between GYC and Netball Tasmania has created a really positive learning experience for students taking place alongside traditional academic and practical learning pathways. It has been a fantastic initiative for netball within the college setting."
Geappen says students have embraced the opportunity since the program began. "Students have shown strong engagement, enthusiasm, and a willingness to challenge themselves and improve," she says. "It is a fantastic initiative by GYC and Netball Tasmania to create a strong learning opportunity for the wider college-based netball community while promoting participation, wellbeing, and personal development through sport."
For students, the program is delivering real benefit both on and off the court. Student Ruby says the experience has complemented her existing club commitments. "I've really been enjoying it. It's been good just getting in extra netball as well as what we already do, and Fi is a really great mentor and great coach, so it's been good just getting in more skills and learning new things."
Fellow student Ivy says the college setting makes it easier to stay involved. "It's great to be able to do netball inside of college with having other commitments outside of college. It's always a great way to improve the day."
Both students say the program adds value for players at every level, not just those who compete at club level on weekends. "It builds fundamental skills, getting in some fitness throughout the college day, and it just boosts our energy for the rest of the day," Ruby says. "We started off with basic skills, and now we're just building on top of those."
Ivy agrees. "It's basically just adding on to what we do outside of college, but improving that little bit extra with different players we don't usually play with. Different bodies and everything, which is handy."
The program continues throughout the college year.
