Kimber nets a role with Zambia squad
NETBALL
JULIE Kimber has her sights set on netting Wold Cup glory after taking on a coaching role in Africa, writes TONY HODGSON.
Gateshead College’s Netball Academy head coach is working as a volunteer technical coach in Zambia, coaching the country’s senior team as part of a two-year project run in conjunction with UK Sport.
Boldon-based Kimber took up her post as national technical coach in June and will return to Africa in April for the next phase of her work.
She said: It has been an amazing experience so far.
“The players and the coaches really appreciate what you are doing for them.
“They have very few resources and equipment but this does not seem to reduce their commitment and work ethic in the sessions.
“They are a great group of players to coach and work with.”
Kimber was approached by England Netball to help the Zambia team qualify for the Netball World Cup in 2019 in Liverpool.
She added: “I went for a scouting visit in August for 12 days.
“I met with various parties including the Minister of Sport and the Netball Association of Zambia.
“I also coached various sessions for local clubs and had a number of sessions with some of the national squad players.
“I also met a number of coaches and travelled around the country to watch some of the netball leagues in action.
“I have since been back for four days working alongside a colleague from Gateshead College Claire Topham, who is a strength and conditioning coach.
“From my first visit it was evident the players needed to work on strength and conditioning. fitness testing, stretching and recovery sessions.
“With the help of Claire this was incorporated in a four-day netball camp at the Olympic Development Centre in Lusaka.
“We also helped the national coaches develop a training programme and looked at the next six training camps and their content.
“So when myself and Claire return Barber broke through to score. However, despite their best efforts - Coldwell making brilliant stops between the posts and two more Botezatu goals at the other end - Tyne and Wear were unable to claw their way back as Shropshire ran out 15-6 winners.
With Nottingham forfeiting their scheduled league game to gift Tyne and Wear a default 10-0 win, the girls then played a friendly against Staffordshire side Olympia Cannock.
Coldwell pulled off big save in the first minute but was unable to prevent Cannock gradually building up a lead, interspersed with Inta’s hat-trick for the Northeasterners.
Cannock were 9-3 up at half-time and began the second half with two more goals.
Tyne and Wear continued to push forward in attack, Botezatu and Inta finding the the net.
The Romanian duo again combined for a late breakaway goal which Botezatu netted from the rebound after Inta’s shot hit the Cannock goalkeeper - but a last-minute penalty sealed Olympia’s 14-6 victory. in April for a another five-day training sessions the players will hopefully have improved their fitness and skills.
“Then we can concentrate on getting ready for the World Cup qualifying tournament in Africa in May and then working further towards the World Cup.”
As well as working full time at Gateshead College, Kimber is AoC Sport national head coach and head coach at Boldon Netball Club.
A coach for 27 years, she also works for England Netball delivering UKCC level one and level two courses as well as technical and tactical workshops. NEWCASTLE Vikings’ men were dealt a harsh lesson in their England Handball National League North encounter with Loughborough University as the students claimed a 40-13 win.
The two sides come face to face again in the return league fixture on Tyneside on Sunday, when the Vikings’ women also play their home league match against Liverpool. ■■NORTHUMBERLAND Schools FA’s under-16 boys and girls and under-18 boys are in Northern Counties League action against Cumbria tomorrow.
Games will be played at French Fields, Penrith (kick-off 11.00). ■■MORPETH B beat Hexham B 8-3 in the Northumberland Winter Netball League’s Under-14 Division. Morpeth A overcame Hexham A 19-4. ■■THE annual Merz and McLellan Cup clash between the North East Midweek Crcket League champions Blue Flames and a league President’s XI will be held at Blyth CC on Sunday, April 22 (1.30). ■■GATESHEAD Redheugh FC have been awarded a grant of £23,403 from the Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund.
The cash will go towards improving the playing surfaces of the club’s four grass pitches. ■■COUNTY Durham-born darts ace Davy Prins won the Shotton Comrades Open, defeating Paul Williams 5-4.
Prins took out a 101 to claim the match in the deciding leg - one of three tons scored in the final. ■■TOP seed Ryan Joyce beat fellow Tyne and Wear player Geoff Murray to claim the Tyne Masters title - an event open to the top 48 amateur darts players in the region.