Storm prepare for Autumn season
Gippsland Storm Elite Development Netball Club recently had its annual fitness camp at Allambee Camp, just south of Yarragon in the Strzelecki Ranges.
Including coaches’ players and support staff, close to 100 people attended the camp in preparation for the 2018 netball season.
Eight squads of netballers were challenged and put through their paces during the first weekend at the start of February.
During interviews with television media, head coach Simon O’Shanassy explained that the focus of the camp was to build teamwork, discipline and the opportunity for the netballers to challenge themselves both physically and mentally to push themselves to a higher level.
O’Shanassy said that it was also a great time for the players to bond and to get to know each other to prepare for the season at Waverley.
Sports scientist James Raftery from Your Body Hub attended the camp, putting the Storm netballers through their paces, ranging in age groups from junior development, 13, 15, 17 and under through to open squads.
Raftery focused on the right sort of diet, exercise and hydration, stretching procedures both before and after each game.
Anna Klaric from Inspire Physiotherapy addressed the players Saturday evening, about measures to prevent serious injuries and the recovery procedures. Anna also explained the importance of the use of the different therapy rollers to condition the body, to aid in the healing process.
Gippsland Storm president Cindy Armstrong said it was important to have physiotherapists and sports scientists involved with the club on a weekly basis.
“It gives our netballers a step up in knowledge and understanding of their bodies, so if they want to take it to the next level with our sister club Monash Storm in the VNL, they are already well ahead of the game,” she said.
Storm now look forward to another successful Autumn season at the Waverley Netball Centre, matching it against some of the best netball tournament squads in the state.