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So what is Performance?

It sounds like an obvious question, with an easy answer. Have you thought actually the extent of the areas that Performance might cover?

Given the profile and coverage the England Team receive every time they play International Matches, it would be easy to think that Performance only deals with the England Team. That team, and the success that the squad of talented athletes achieve is of course the ultimate objective, and there is no hiding place! Success or failure in Commonwealth Games or World Championships is a pretty public achievement these days, so everyone gets to know!

It is important to remember some key facts about Netball at International level:

  • The athletes all have to either work for a living, or combine training with university study. England Netball is indebted to many employers who support the athletes through extra time off work to enable them to compete, train or tour.
  • Work commitments mean that the athletes need to fit training into weekends, evenings and holiday times. The pressures on National Squad members now with work, Superleague commitments, off court and on-court training, means that it is a full time commitment.
  • England Netball couldn't achieve the success we have on our own! We rely on strong partnerships with Sport England (who grant aid significantly), The English Institute of Sport (EIS) who provide specialist support services to our athletes on a day by day basis, UKSport, and our sponsors.
  • Our major competitors currently are a long flight away! The top 2 in the world (New Zealand and Australia currently) are 24 hours travel, whilst Jamaica are our closest near rival - and that can take 8 hours to get there! That makes the international competition element very expensive.
  • England Netball puts a team into the Annual Netball Europe Championships, but in recent times we have put forward our U21 Team (or similar) to compete at this level. This approach ensures a close competition at the event, and great development opportunities for those developing English players.

The Directorate also takes responsibility for the England U21 Squad and preparation for the World Youth Championships (held every 4 years). As current holders of the Silver Medal (won in Florida in July 2005), the pressure is on for the next England U21 Squad to perform in the Cook Islands in July 2009. The U21 Programme is headed currently by Jess Garland and Anna Mayes (Joint 21 and Under Coaches).

The Talent Programme encompasses the England U17 and U19 programmes, leading to representative teams at the Annual Netball Europe Junior Championships. This programme, which has been well established over the last few years, has demonstrated success through the progression of many athletes to U21 and Senior International status.

In delivering all of the above programmes, and supporting the Regional Talent Development Programmes that under-pin them the Directorate relies upon a great many dedicated staff and volunteers. Many staff work on a part-time basis, and combine their roles with England Netball with careers else where.

Key Staff Members Are:

Nigel Holl
Director of Netball

Sue Hawkins
National Head Coach

Liz Bloor
Performance and National Team's Manager

Emma Batchelor
National Squad Physiotherapist

Christian Verrinder
England Netball Squad Doctor

Anna Mayes
U21 Co Coaches Jessica Garland

Louise Withnall
U21 Physiotherapist

Joanna Munnion
U19 Head Coach

Anna Newell
U17 Head Coach

The Hitchin Head Office Team:

Lesley Walsh
PA to the Director of Netball

Liz Bloor
Performance and National Teams Manager

Kelly Parkynn
National Talent Manager

Anne-Marie Thompson
Talent Administrator

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