BSSC has added netball to its elite sporting programs that are already fast-tracking the careers of young footballers and basketballers.
The netball program is being headed by BFNL Chairperson Carol Cathcart, whose coaching background has seen her hold major roles at both the Australian and West Australian institutes of sport. In her eight-year tenure with Netball Australia, Cathcart coached the Australian 21-and-under squad for four years and was National Head of High Performance.
BSSC Specialist Sports Coordinator, Dean Sheldrick, said the college was extremely lucky to have someone of Cathcart’s experience to guide students.
“Carol has tailored each player’s program to their specific needs,” he said. “This will enhance their development and lead to improvement at their respective clubs and representative squads.”
Year 12 student Danielle Markwell is one of 10 students who met with Cathcart at the end of last year to discuss her performance goals for 2017, and is confident the program will improve her overall game and boost her performance with Kangaroo Flat in the 2017 BFNL season.
“Carol is an amazing coach with loads of experience and knowledge that all the girls are keen to take on board,” she said. “The program has only just started, but I can already tell that it will greatly improve my fitness and strength, and give me a lot of confidence going into this year’s netball season. It’s such an awesome opportunity.”
Kate Salvador is another BSSC student already seeing the benefits of the program.
“I hope to improve both my technical and tactical knowledge of the game,” she said, “and be able to apply this during matches, both for the College netball team and for Strathfieldsaye in the BFNL.