2007 Head Coach's Report

Head Coach’s Report 2006-07

Performance

Sorry guys, but the women were my highlight of the year!  For the first time in 5 years we were able to field a regular women’s team – 10 women represented the club, winning 2 out of 3 competitions, and laying a great foundation for next year.  With some youth as well, the prospects look good.  Love it!

The B-team put last year’s travails behind them, improving all through 2006-07 to a very respectable league position and almost winning the end of season tournament.  With more regular player availability they could push for promotion next season.  Many thanks to Irwin for all his hard work and dedication as coach.

Two very narrow defeats (23-25 in deciding sets) during the league season meant that the A-team only won 2 out of 3 competitions this year.  Actually this was an exceptional performance if you recognise the improvement some of our opponents made and the spate of injuries/absences in our squad.  A core squad of 10 players proved insufficient, with 4 other club members helping us out at different times (who can forget Cinzia’s winning serves?!).

We should also recognise the achievements of our male and female players who represent Wiltshire Mavericks in the SW League (next year Cinzia and Jodie will play NVL), whilst loyally supporting our own club and teams.

For a small club with limited resources, it’s been an exceptionally successful season!

Development

The challenge for a small club with limited space and time (one court for 2 hours a week, including matches) is to cater for everyone’s needs:

• Individual players with varying experience and ability (from beginner to NVL level)
• Developing 3 teams (especially when a match is approaching).

I have tried to balance these needs fairly, and also to bring some variety and new ideas to sessions.  I am very pleased to receive feedback and suggestions about how we can maintain and improve this balance.

I am very grateful to Irwin, Cliff, Craig, Sue, Jodie and everyone else who helped to lead warm-ups, training and beginner introductions during the season.  This teamwork among coaches and players is essential to maintain variety and to ease the load on me.

Despite the healthy performance, I am conscious that we struggle to keep the many new faces that our website and publicity attracts (thanks to Richard’s wonderful efforts).  We simply couldn’t cater for the 25 people who turned up one Sunday last November.  And we don’t have the resource to run our own regional or national league teams (even though we have much talent).  We are limited by the space available, and by matches crowding out training sessions.  It’s OK to be a small and focussed club – but when regulars leave the area, or talented players move on, we risk crashing.  It’s OK to be a bigger club with more people to call on – but it requires more commitment, cash and coaches.

Each year we should ask what kind of club we want to be?