The Netball South West regional chair and England Netball vice-chair believes the Island could be an ideal location for national conferences.
Having visited Jersey last week with NSW regional manager Kathryn Crago, the message that was relayed back to Jersey Netball Association president, Jackie Nelson, was a positive one.
‘Heather was saying that Jersey would be a superb place for holding national umpires or coaches’ annual conferences,’ said Nelson.
‘It was a very positive meeting, definitely an eye opener, and they got a real feel for the Island and an understanding of the different issues we have which are often unique.
‘For example they now understand the financial commitment we have if we are to compete off the Island – they didn’t realise it was so big.’
Crouch and Crago will be visiting all the areas that make up their South-West region in order to ‘forge closer and more productive links with the region’ and Nelson added: ‘They will find out whether there is any interest in teams coming to us to relieve the pressure and obviously the expense of always travelling.
‘Their visit couldn’t have come at a better time as Jersey were feeling out on a limb with the change of the netball structure but they realise they have to find a way of fitting us into their structure.’
Crouch said: ‘When I took over as chair I was really excited that Jersey was included in the region but we haven’t tapped in to that – we’ve got a crown jewel here and we’re not making the best of it.
‘You’ve got athletes here now making an impact on the England stage and a school structure here which we can learn from.’
One of the biggest areas of concern for Jersey is that of its position in England’s league setup as the J United senior team, who are currently competing in the NSW Premier League, will next season not fulfil the entry requirements being an Island side rather than a club with Club Action Planning Scheme accreditation.
‘This is something that worries me,’ admitted Nelson.
‘But there’s a huge amount of commitment and passion over here and we have to find the right way to overcome that – I’m hoping that we will have some idea of the way forward and that Jersey will be back as part of the network.’
The importance of having a paid development officer, and an administrator if possible, was something that was also stressed by the netball representatives who felt that it is essential to have if an area is going to progress from amateur levels.
The officials also discussed the strength of netball at the moment with Crouch adding that: ‘England Netball is delighted with the viewing figures from the Superleague programme on Sky.
‘We have exceeded expectations massively, and at some point our figures were higher than that of rugby league.
I think we have to dream the dream because I never dreamt we’d have the weekly coverage numbers we do and the sponsors knocking on the door.
‘We’re also now beginning to see top England players being invited to play netball on the other side of the world with their expenses covered (both Team Bath’s Tamsin Greenway and Geva Mentor were offered contracts for the ANZ Championship).
‘It’s the first time ever they are starting to make a living and there aren’t many sports women can earn a living with – we definitely have a positive future as a sport.’
‘As a governing body applying for funding England Netball are quite clear what its key aims are and it’s summarised as 10-1-1,’ added Crago.
‘We want to be in the top ten participation sports in the country, number one team in the world, and the first choice sport for women and girls.’
