Lina Pale, Fiapalagi Lai Kong, Olivia Burnham, Charlotte Knight, Julia Wynands, Quantelle Hua-Kapua and Samara Northmore were amongst 50 athletes invited by Netball New Zealand to attend the 2019 National Development Camp. The camp was held from 18-21 January at St Peters in Cambridge.

Players were divided into five teams to be led by coaching experts including New Zealand’s Pathway to Podium (P2P) specialist coaches and our very own Anna Galvan who had been a head coach at National Development Camp for the last two years.

The format of the camp can change each year. In addition to match play, players went through NetballSmart, court sessions and seminars.

Anna says the calibre of players was particularly high and it was great to see the Christchurch girls excelling in that environment.

We also asked some of the the girls what they thought!

Fia Lai Kong

Team coach: Jodie Brown 

What did you learn most from attending the camp?

I guess the key learnings, one of many is that there is no point in playing netball (or any sport, anything in general) if we don't have a passion for the game because from passion comes purpose and meaning to why? we play the game we love. Leading onto, PREPARATION is vital in all aspects of pre and post activities in being an athlete, e.g for instance, you set a goal to win or be the best in your position...the goal alone doesn't become achieved by letting it sit on paper, you, myself need to put in the work. The difference from talent to going to high performance athletes is talent itself doesn't give you the easy way in but the hard work on top of talent itself, the hours of pushing to progress to strive for the ending result/reward. (Sweat, tears, pressure) When you are given the opportunity to play on court, leave everything on court with no doubt. 

What was the best thing about camp? 

Loved everything about camp!, especially because it was my first time and a rare occasion I was nervous heading into it but I was happy walking out the doors I entered, knowing that I gave all  that I could offer and left no regret in putting my best foot forward; as well as making new friends and playing against the best of the best (we pushed each other) and beyond thankful for the camp as it opened my eyes to new learnings I am able to take with me on my journey on and off the court of netball. Also to be around ex silver ferns who have been through years of experience to come back and share their knowledge to help us grow is something I can live to tell and something I don't take for granted. For example, having Jodie Brown as a coach and not just "asking for here autograph" like if we are the crowd in a game waiting in line, she was literally there to talk to as she said ''we are all human" and "I wouldn't of told you this, if I didn't see the potential in you to do it."

Lina Pale

Team coach: Team Red. I was lucky enough to have both Irene Van Dyk and Vicki Morgan as my coaches.

What did you learn most from attending the camp?

That you only get what you put in, so to always give 100% 

What was the best thing about camp?

Having the opportunity to meet some awesome girls and being able to get such good advice from the coaches I had which I can use to help further my netball skills 

Olivia Burnham

Team coach(es): Becs Gabel, Assistant Coach Lindsay Filiata, two very experienced coaches who taught me a lot in a short period of time. 

What did you learn most from attending the camp?

Something that I took away and learnt from the camp would be around recovery and loading. From one of the workshops at the camp I definitely learnt how important it is to listen to your body, and focus on the quality of training sessions not necessarily the quantity- the amount you do in a session! Now I am more aware and tracking how much loading (hours) of game play/training I am doing a week. 

What was the best thing about camp?

The best thing about camp was the friendships that were made, not only just in my team but with all of the girls who attended the camp and my amazing coaches/mentors!! The memories and friendships will never be forgotten. 

Samara Northmore

Team coach(es): Jodi Brown and Tania Cargo, which is was super lucky to have.

What did you learn most from attending the camp?

I definitely learnt a lot of things at the camp that I could go on and on about but the one thing that I learnt most, is that you are there for a reason and that you have to be able to believe in yourself in order to succeed. I definitely think that one of the most important aspects of being able to perform and perform at your best is by knowing that you are capable of doing well. I definitely got to taught this over the camp. Whether it was backing myself to let the ball go when I see an opportunity or confidence in my overall ability.

What was the best thing about camp?

The best thing about the camp was getting to play against many different people, all of which were amazing and being able to take parts of their game away and learn from playing against them. I enjoyed the challenge of playing different styles to what I’m used to and being around different environments of the game which I think helped me as not only a player but as a person. The opportunity to be coached by some of the best in New Zealand was ‘second to none’ and I gained valuable feedback and insight into my game that I will carry into my upcoming season. I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend away and am very grateful for the experience.

Article added: Sunday 10 February 2019