It’s been fairly well documented on my blog that I suffered a knee injury late last year, resulting in a knee reconstruction in December. I was playing netball at the time of the injury, and currently it’s still up in the air on whether I will be returning to the sport I love to play.

Normally I would play Mondays and Thursdays (occasionally Wednesdays), and when the Superleague season was on I would also play Saturday nights. It was a lot, but I just couldn’t get enough of it. Going back and watching some games has been bittersweet; it’s great to still catch up with my friends on all my teams, but so very painful to not be able to join in. All that changed this year when I was asked to become an assistant coach.

Originally I was merely joining my friend Adam with Mix C but in a minor role; I would chip in when he wasn’t able to be there (if he was playing at the same time for instance). It was a no pressure job, and if I had something else that I needed to do that night, he understood (like if I had to work for Ravesafe at another music festival). Then Shane asked if I would help him coach Ladies B.

I’ve tried several ways of explaining why coaching with Shane made me more nervous than it did with Adam. I think I felt like I was able to take a backseat more than I would be with Shane; Adam would be dominant as the coach and I truly was only there on the off chance I was needed. With Shane, it almost felt like I was being groomed for a more serious role. I eventually agreed to coach with Shane, but only after really thinking it through. I found I just couldn’t pass on being more involved with netball. I was scared, but after the first night of coaching with Shane I knew that I shouldn’t have been so worried.

Adam and I haven’t had a chance to work together so it’s not fair to say it won’t be the same with him. I’m truly guessing. But after the first night with Shane, I feel like my eyes have been completely reopened to the sport. I’ve played netball for about 5- 6 years, so it’s not like I’m a stranger to the game. Yet listening to Shane talk and explain things to me, bad habits players had, things the attacking/defense were doing wrong, I was in shock. How did I miss all of this before? I’d like to give myself the benefit of the doubt and say that it was because I was too focused on my own performance to really be concerned about anyone else.

At the end of the night any questions I had about returning to netball had been answered. My mind has been made up not to play ever again – I just don’t want to risk another injury. But I’m really quite excited about this year – it feels like being an assistant coach will fulfil all my needs from the sport. I’ll be part of the team again, and will be able to work towards achieving the best possible result. All of this while I get to sit on the sidelines and know that I don’t have to worry about remembering to pack my knee and ankle guards. It’s perfect! So, another drink anyone?

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