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AGC JOURNAL 2018

Inter Corps Netball, My

Netball New Sporting

Champions Challenge

2018 By Lance Corporal Stephanie Bell-Bailey

Going into a new sport is always daunting, even more so, when you are
By Major Lorraine Thomas
going into a new team where you do not know anyone, but nevertheless, I
Following two successful training days was looking forward to attending the Corps Netball training in advance of
held in Bulford and Tidworth the Corps the Inter Corps Netball Championships 2018.
Netball Team selection took place in
advance of the Inter Corps Competition New to the Sport encouraged to attend social functions, a chance to sit down
2018. and get to know one another and refl ect on the day. Although
Being brand new to the sport, I had to learn everything from not compulsory, I enjoyed this aspect as well as most of the
scratch. Day one I arrived in Bulford Gym to a crowd of girls players attended, and this was an opportunity to make new
waiting to have the nominal roll taken. A bit nervous, I could friends and bond as a team.
Defending Champions see there were a lot of experienced players, but they were more
than happy to teach the ‘babies’ as we were called to improve Inclusive Environment
As defending champions, we could put three teams their performance and skills on court. Knowing that there were
into both the 1st and 2nd Division competitions which people to help and point me in the right direction, to mentor Throughout the entire four to fi ve days, I felt accepted,
supported a full mix of abilities ranging from our most and coach me, gave my confi dence a massive boost and I really nurtured and respected the fact that as a ‘baby ‘we were
talented and experienced International Players to those enjoyed learning this new sport. prioritised to improve our skills and confi dence. The coaches
who had only recently taken up the sport. and management team fostered an inclusive environment
Team Spirit where we were encouraged to get involved and love the
Family Atmosphere sport as much as they did. This worked; every new player was
In the mornings, it was training and in the afternoon, it was encouraged to give their best and to have fun doing so.
Fostering an inclusive and ‘family’ atmosphere where game play, consisting of mini games to ensure we honed our Inter Corps Championships
we strive for excellence and the love of the sport, our skills and concentrated our eff orts in the time we had. Game
time was the fun time, and the time that I felt able to put
Netball teams played exceptionally well throughout the everything I had learned in the training sessions into practice. The Army Inter Corps Championships 2018 were held at the end
competition and their determination, hard work and This team spirit was also extended into the evening long after of our week together and team selection and places on the A, B
skills paid off with an overall win and title as the newly the training sessions had ended, and each night the team were and Development teams were hard fought.
crowned Inter Corps Champions going to our ‘A’ Team
in the 1st Division. The B team also achieved a runner-up
place in the 2nd Division and the Development Team
improved in every match.
The Finals

The fi nals were exciting, hard fought and demonstrated
just what a skilled and outstanding sport Netball is for
the players and spectators alike. Ably supported by
the Colonel Adjutant General’s Corps, Colonel Frances
Castle, the Corps Sergeant Major, Warrant Offi cer Class
One Colin Morrison and Major Joe Bright, this proved
as ever to be an inspiration and their support and
assistance was very much appreciated, especially in the
fi nal prize-giving. A special mention must also go out
to one of the new players, Lance Corporal Stephanie
Bell-Bailey who received the great accolade of the Inter
Corps Young Player of the Tournament 2018 from the
external Offi cials there. You can read her story on the
next pages.

The Corps Netball Teams should all feel proud of their
achievement this year and with an overseas tour
looming to Fiji scheduled for 2019, they will undoubtedly
go onto bigger and better successes both here and on
the international stage.

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