Report from Young Leaders Camp 2010

This summer Natalie Simpson and I were two of fifty volunteers to be selected to participate in the national “Young Leaders Camp”. Our role as umpires, coaches and managers at Lincoln City Netball Club provoked us to apply, and when we discovered we had been successful we were excited and eager to attend.

Young Leaders Camp began in 2008, and this year the camp brought together 50 athletes and volunteers 16-19 from each of Netball, Athletics and Gymnastics. The camp ran from the 15th-18th of August at Bradfield College near Reading, which was an amazing traditional venue that normally acted as a public school. The entire week had no cost, with all leaders receiving t-shirts and hoodies as well as three massive meals a day and lots of freebies!

Everybody at the camp was allocated an Olympic City to act as their team for their stay, and after some team building games and expectation setting we kicked off with a whole group ‘Street Cheer’ class; just the beginning of a whole host of unusual and fun activities. Over the course of the camp we participated in team events such as treasure hunts and quizzes as well as a fancy dress talent show and disco on the final night!

On the netball side of things, the highlight has to be receiving coaching tips and performing a session under the direction of the England National Coach, Sue Hawkins. The session was a once-in-a-lifetime experience which everybody present seemed to take so much inspiration from. Other netball sessions including a High Five coaching and playing session led by East Midland’s Talent Development Officer, Val Kindred, umpiring Q & As with two ‘A’ Award Umpires and ‘planning a coaching session’ workshop with Level 2 coaches. After a “warm ups” session delivered by an FA Board Member we finished the netball specific skills with a fun Round-Robin tournament.

With our cities the sessions focussed on “Running a Club” and “Youth at the (committee) table”, as well as looking forward to London 2012 and practising our improvisational skills in a games workshop.

Overall, our time on Young Leaders Camp 2010 was an experience never to forget- and are even hoping to return to Bradfield next year to be a team leader! The future looks bright for netball with events such as this taking place on a national scale, giving young volunteers a good foundation for giving back to the sport both now and as they progress through courses and awards. We’d recommend the camp to anyone as committed and dedication to netball as us, but make sure you follow the camp’s motto and “Don’t Hold Back!”.

By Lizzie Saywell