Shropshire 
Match Report - U11 & 12 VII vs Rydal Penrhos
Year 5 and 6 Netball versus Rydal Penrhos on Tuesday 24th January
This match has been the first opportunity for the girls to play competitively against another school. The match was always going to be a challenge for our pupils, and they should be encouraged to understand it as a learning experience. All too often results can act as a barrier to learning. Out and out success can lead to team complacency and not allow individuals to evaluate their own performances; failures can de-motivate, attract criticism and lower self esteem.
England Netball prescribes the way, as an English school, we teach the game. Thus at primary level, our students learn the High Five modification of the full game. In essence, this means that instead of having seven players on court, there are only five. This allows more space for movement, and decreases the cognitive-spatial demands on players. More time is allowed for ball possession (5 seconds compared to the 3 seconds in the full version). This allows longer for decision making, reactions and movements. Players also rotate through each playing position over the duration of the game, allowing them the experience to undertake attacking, defending and linking positions. This benefits their overall understanding of the game, gives them the chance to experience success in different roles, and avoids the assignment of positions based on height! I am sure there are probably mums out there who spent many a cold day standing still as a goal keeper or goal shooter just because they were tall!! This differs from the approach of the Welsh Netball Association Dragon Net version of the game, where seven players are on court.
For our girls, this was their first experience of playing seven aside. With only five girls in year six, this meant we had to ‘borrow’ two year five girls to have enough numbers on court. Both year groups were thus working on a ‘skeleton’ structure. Developmentally for girls, there is a big difference between those in year five and six. For this reason, they are mixed together when they work as teams in lessons. This enables them to get a broader overall experience of playing, enabling them to get enjoyment from participation.
Rydal faced us with their ‘A’ teams, and played to a good standard. I am proud that this did not stop our girls from playing with determination and supporting each other. I did not have one moan or tear from any of our pupils at their loss. Our girls faced defeat with strength. They identified different aspects of their personal and team play which will help them to improve individually and together. Success will come; at the moment they are still young. Indeed, looking across the success we have in the senior school, as teams, and individuals playing at club and county levels, there is a lot to look forward to.
Mrs Willis.
