A book, a dream, a plan

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

By Reviewed by Netball Australia

The plot goes like this: Sally and Nat are desperate to play netball, but it’s a bit tough as sport is totally banned at Sally’s place and Nat comes from a basketball family. Together the girls decide to teach themselves to play netball with the help of a book as they aim to make the Grade Six netball team.

With surprising allies along the way, mean girls who’ll do anything to stop them, and parents who should know better, this is a story of overcoming obstacles and forging friendships while learning the skills of netball.

The book, “Netball Dreamz” by Leeanne Vernon and Gillian Lee, is not only a great story but also an informative and useful guide to netball packed with activities, tips and coaching points for 8 to 13 year olds.

As the story follows Sally and Nat’s progress, the book illustrates the value of good coaching resources: “As Sally read, she realised she’d never thought much about defence. Even when watching the games on telly, she’d seen defenders take great intercepts, but she just thought it was luck. The more she read, the more intrigued she became, the more she wanted to be a defender.”

Co-author and Australian Level 3 coach, Gillian Lee said both writers share a passion for netball.

“This book has given us the opportunity to present netball in a way that is not just a coaching manual but an engaging story as well,” Lee said.

“It has been very satisfying to receive the feedback from parents that their kids are enjoying the book but are also getting out and being active, trying the skills in the book and even making up their own.”

The world’s two leading national coaches, Australia’s Norma Plummer and New Zealand’s Ruth Aitken were both impressed by the book.

“It’s a great read, inspiring for young netballers,” Plummer said.

“A terrific book - entertaining, informative and motivating,” Aitken observed.

“Netball Dreamz” is a great read for anyone who has aspired to improve their netball skills or take on a challenge with both hands.

“Netball Dreamz” is available to purchase online at www.netballdreamz.com or at good bookstores. The book is also available as a fundraising tool for local netball associations and clubs who will receive 20% of the sale price. For more information, please visit the website. Stay tuned for the next edition in the series to be released in 2009.