ASK A SWIFT
Have you ever wanted to ask Catherine Cox how many goals she shoots a week?
Or maybe you'd like to ask Kimberlee Green what she eats prior to stepping out on court for the NSW Swifts?
Now you have the opportunity to "Ask a Swift".
Send your netball questions, along with your name and your netball club to askaswift@netballnsw.com and each week we will ask the NSW Swifts team to answer your questions.
The answers to a selection of the questions received will be displayed below. So be sure to check back regularly to see what netball fans have been asking the NSW Swifts!
Ask a Swift
Question from Molly (11), to Susan Pratley
Q: How many days and hours do you train a week?
A: During the season, I train with the Nsw Swifts team 5 times a week. Each session goes for about 2- 2.5 hours! We do 3 courtwork sessions and 2 weights/fitness sessions. In the off-season we also train this many times a week, but we do 3 or 4 fitness sessions a week and 2 weights session. In the off-season, we don't go on the court very often, its more about getting really fit and strong!
Question from Kayley, to Kimberley Smith
Q: Does it matter how many years of experience you have playing netball?
A: You will find that the more you play, the more tricks you learn and the better equipped you are to handle difficult situations which arise during a game. For example, you will learn what to do in a close game, the ways certain players move and the way your team mates like to play. In that way, experience will help to improve your game and make you a better player.
Q: How many days and hours do you train a week?
A: During the season, I train with the Nsw Swifts team 5 times a week. Each session goes for about 2- 2.5 hours! We do 3 courtwork sessions and 2 weights/fitness sessions. In the off-season we also train this many times a week, but we do 3 or 4 fitness sessions a week and 2 weights session. In the off-season, we don't go on the court very often, its more about getting really fit and strong!
Question from Kayley, to Kimberley Smith
Q: Does it matter how many years of experience you have playing netball?
A: You will find that the more you play, the more tricks you learn and the better equipped you are to handle difficult situations which arise during a game. For example, you will learn what to do in a close game, the ways certain players move and the way your team mates like to play. In that way, experience will help to improve your game and make you a better player.
However, a lot of players have a great natural ability which will not be affected by the amount of experience you have. I would never let a lack of experience hold you back from doing something you really want to do. After all, you will get valuable experience just through trying and this will help you in the future!
Questions from Monique, Cobras Netball Club, to Rebecca Bulley
Q: How do you make sure you stay on a healthy diet?
A: Basically I just try not to eat junk food! I always eat home cooked meals and take my lunch to work rather than buying it. Also a good idea is to take plenty of healthy snacks when I’m not at home so I don’t get tempted to buy unhealthy snacks. If I have been good or training really hard, I will treat myself with a small chocolate.
Questions from Monique, Cobras Netball Club, to Rebecca Bulley
Q: How do you make sure you stay on a healthy diet?
A: Basically I just try not to eat junk food! I always eat home cooked meals and take my lunch to work rather than buying it. Also a good idea is to take plenty of healthy snacks when I’m not at home so I don’t get tempted to buy unhealthy snacks. If I have been good or training really hard, I will treat myself with a small chocolate.
Q: Do you have something to eat about an hour before your game and if you do what is it?
A: Usually I try to have a meal about 3 hours before the game and then eat something about an hour before our game. Usually it is something light such a piece of toast or a muffin.
A: Usually I try to have a meal about 3 hours before the game and then eat something about an hour before our game. Usually it is something light such a piece of toast or a muffin.
Question from Leesa to Catherine Cox
Q: How many goals did you shoot during the 2009 ANZ Championship?
A: Cath shot 389 goals for the NSW Swifts in the 2009 ANZ Championship.
Question from Monique, Cobras Netball Club, to Kimberley Smith
Q: What is your trick to keep a really tight defense throughout the game?
A: To maintain tight defence throughout the whole game you need to work hard and be persistent in your efforts. Try to predict where the GA or GS is moving to and block their path. Tight one-on-one defence is hard work but it can wear down your opposition and cause them to make errors which will result in intercepts later in the game. Goodluck!
Question from Julie, NSW Swifts member to Rebecca Bulley
Q: How many times do you train a week?
A: The NSW Swifts train together five times a week plus our weekly match. Outside of these in-season training sessions I may do some light recovery session after a game but I usually try to have a break when I can.
Questions from Annalisa, NSW Swifts member to Susan Pratley
Q: How many goals do you shot a week?
A: I shoot about 200 goals a day, four days a week. Plus I do a lot of shooting at our training sessions.
Q: What level do you get up to in the beep test?
A: Most of the girls in the team get level 10 or above. My beep test result is 11.3
Q: How did you get to play for the NSW Swifts? What was your pathway?
A: I have played for the Swifts (Sydney Swifts and NSW Swifts) for four years. Prior to that I played for the Canberra Darters at the AIS for three years. I first made a NSW State Team when I was 15 (17U team), since then I have made all the NSW Teams (17U, 19U, 21U and Opens).
Q: What do you eat prior to a game?
A: I have a nice big meal about six hours before the game and then a little snack (crumpets or toast) a couple of hours before the game.
Q: Do you have any superstitions (e.g. straightening your hair)
A: Not really, I usually straighten my hair before I play though. I am pretty relaxed before the game.
Question from Annalisa, NSW Swifts member to Samantha May
Q: Are you left-handed? If you are, is it harder to train and play with people that are right-handed?
A: Yes I am left-handed but I am one of those people that can use both my left and right hand for a variety of activities. For example, I do throw right-handed but if I was to ever shoot a ball, I would shoot left-handed.
When playing you don't really notice much difference whether they throw with a certain hand but it can be handy when defending so you can be aggressive over their throwing arm.
