The netball development officer’s reasons for doing so, after 18 years in the voluntary role, are that ‘I simply couldn’t commit to the travelling.’ Andrews will continue to run Island junior sides.
‘The U16s have a big programme in place this year, with training and match schedules, and the U18s have their national tournament a week on Sunday and the Seniors play their first fixture the day before.
The venues are different, so I had to make a choice.’ Convent coach Andrews has decided to concentrate on the younger players, but the senior side now has no official coach, and they currently train with the U18s which, Andrews said, works well because it means that both squads have opponents to play.
‘And if the U18s get through to the next stage of the tournament the senior players can keep training with them for another month.’ She said that she was disappointed that no-one from netball has stepped forward offering to coach the seniors.
‘There are other coaches out there, in the Island, but no-one has come forward.
‘There are lots of players who have been in the senior squad recently and enjoyed the travelling and the games.
It would be nice if some of them were prepared to put something back into netball.
And it’s not as though they’d be on their own, they could work in a pair, with a defensive and an attacking coach, for instance, and I’d be more than happy to help out if I was needed.
The seniors’ first match is against Devon Titans, and with a new format to follow Andrews is confident the team can manage without her.
‘Because of the way the new leagues have been put together I don’t expect the seniors to be out of their depth in the first season.
It’s a small step down from last season and they have this year to play before they go up to the Premier League so I thought now was the time to make the move.
‘There has been interest, from two men, but so far no one has committed themselves.
Last year, with the junior and senior teams’ commitments in the UK competitions, I spent just one weekend at home from the end of January up until April.
‘I want to be able to spend time with my little grandson and the rest of my family.’ Jersey Netball Association president Maureen Cox, and former president Ann Halliwell will accompany the senior squad for their UK fixtures.
