When it comes to our sport, ‘success’ can mean very different things to different people. For young athletes and their parents, understanding and defining success beyond wins and losses (or which rep team you make!) can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful netball experience.
So, what does success in netball look like, and how can we measure it?
Making representative teams is a traditional view of success
Goal-oriented success: For some, making a representative team or reaching a certain level of competition is the ultimate goal. This perspective sees success as achieving specific milestones, like association rep teams.
Skills development: These goals often emphasize measurable improvements in skills, fitness, and strategic understanding of the game.
Our key insight: Setting goals to reach specific teams or competitions can motivate young players, but it’s essential to balance these ambitions with an understanding of other success markers.
Personal Growth: Confidence, Resilience, and Discipline
Building life skills: Netball helps foster discipline, resilience, and teamwork, which are invaluable beyond the court. Many parents see their child's growth in these areas as success, as these skills benefit them in all aspects of life.
Confidence and self-belief: Success can also mean stepping outside of one’s comfort zone, trying new positions, or pushing through tough training sessions.
Our key insight: When players and parents see netball as a tool for personal growth, the focus shifts from merely “winning” to enjoying the journey and having gratefulness for the lessons learnt along the way!
Enjoyment and social connections
Fostering friendships: For many young players, the friendships they form on the court are a highlight of their netball journey. Parents often prioritize their child’s happiness and positive social interactions over competition outcomes.
The fun factor: Enjoyment is a huge motivator! Success can mean looking forward to training, laughing with teammates, and simply enjoying the sport.
Our key insight: When a player loves their sport and enjoys being part of a team, they’re more likely to continue playing and improving, ultimately leading to more personal satisfaction and long-term success. In years to come, they aren’t going to remember what games they won – they will remember how their coach and teammates made them feel!
Skill improvement and small wins
Celebrating progress: Success doesn’t have to be about being selected for their state or country but can be about improving with each game. Whether it’s mastering a new skill, making fewer mistakes, or improving shooting accuracy, small wins add up.
Setting personal goals: Encourage young players to set personal goals rather than comparing themselves to others. This approach helps them feel accomplished even if they’re not in a representative team yet.
Our key insight: Personal progress is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most fulfilling ways to measure success, building confidence and a love for self-improvement.
Balancing ambition with enjoyment
The parent’s role: Parents play a key role in setting expectations for what success looks like. A balanced approach that encourages ambition without sacrificing fun, can help young athletes thrive.
Revisiting goals together: Regularly check in on goals and motivations to ensure that both players and parents stay connected to what’s meaningful in the netball journey.
Defining success as a journey, not a destination
Success in netball isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Whether it’s making friends, improving skills, or reaching representative milestones, the best measure of success is how fulfilled a player feels in their netball journey. Encourage your netball athlete to set their own definition of success, one that’s rooted in both ambition and joy for the game.
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