Moll's Moments - Life of a Netballer

I know it's been a while... but it's been an exciting few weeks! Last time I blogged, I was in the midst of my mocks. Let's not talk about those. Sufficed to say, a bout of tonsillitis with a week in bed that knocked me sideways, led to some stressful papers and making a new best friend... shoutout to the lady in the resource centre as I was in that place all week taking these exams by myself. On an 8 week countdown to the real event... Ah! If I see another spider-diagram.... So. Back to netball. Flashback two weeks ago, my school first team travelled to York for the ISA National Finals. After some tough battles including some defence shouting 'miss miss miss' in my face and witnessing a full on physical fight on court, we only went and won the whole tournament! Something I've learned about my sport is the value of sportsmanship. Knocking ten bells out of each other should not be any players' aspiration, should it? This leads me nicely into umpiring. Yes, o...

So let the games begin... After rolling/ spraining my ankle two weeks ago, ngl, I was nervous about playing today after being careful at training this week. I know as a player, coming back from any injury is tough but the physical side is only half the battle. Mentally, the anxiety you feel can really affect your performance if you let it do so. So when I woke up this morning, I decided to focus on coming out the other side and winning. We needed this win today. PMA almost helps to take that physical pain away. We finished the 1st quarter losing by 3. We knew we had to turn that ball over and make this game ours. In quarter 3, we dominated the court, coming from 7 behind, to winning by 3. The communication between the players and the ability to keep our heads up even when we were losing paid off in the end. We smashed it. 56-49!! Yes my ankle did hurt, but there was NO way I was coming off that court. I'm trying to take this PMA forward over the next 10 days as I embark on the ...

So. Where have I been? Studying, sleeping (now and again,) working and repeating. I wanted to reflect upon my last few games of netball. After all, this is a blog about netball! 03.02.19 - Regional Game, all revved up with my on the go yogurt and newly found love, granola. Felt positive as I'd had such a great game the previous week. It just shows how wrong you can be in the world of sport. I am supposed to be a goal shooter. The net could have been the size of Planet Earth and I still wouldn't have been able to get it in. It was just one of those days where every shot hit the same part of the ring and rebounded back down to the court along with my self-esteem and confidence. I was frustrated not only with my lack of aim but the fact that I just couldn't finish off the job for my team. It is fair to say, I was shocking. They would have got more goals in with a 4ft 6in garden gnome. I came off at half time; then it hit me. I cried. Then I cried again. Then I cried some mo...

Happy New Year everyone! So, a new year brings more new resolutions. “I’m going to lose weight, I’m going to get level 18 on the bleep test (ew; whenever I’m at the supermarket, the scan it yourself bleep haunts me as I feel as though I need to sprint to the carrots and b ack in record time) oh and I’m going to go in the freezing cold garage to do a daily session on the spin bike (if it was inside, sure!) These are what I’d like to think I’d do…. But here are the real ones… 1.      Stop moaning about the following: ·       how much work needs to be completed ·       the lack of crisps that you actually get in a packet these days ·       having to get up at 6:45am ·       having to walk the dog even though ‘she is mine’ ·       the cost of petrol (no one warns you about this when you’ve passed your test) · ...

Hi everyone, So. 2018 has been a big year for me. Starting a new club, entering my last year of A levels, applying to uni, passing my driving test, turning 18 and of course, starting this blog. It has opened up so many opportunities for me. But what's been your biggest achievement? This is only going to be a short post as I am about to leave for an annual family get together at Grandma and Grandad's house; one we do to finish off the Christmas food and consume over 5,000 calories. (Don't worry Sam and Lyn, I am doing my Christmas fitness to burn it all off I promise!) Games are played, alcohol is consumed and laughter is heard. It's nice to see those you don't get to see that often; and that's what Christmas is all about for me. So going into 2019, I hope that it is filled with happiness, positivity and joy. Of course, there will be a few bumps in the road as there is every year but I'll get through them. I hope your New Year is full of prosperity and th...

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Peace on earth and good will to all men... or so you would think. As we all get into the spirit of Christmas, let's take a few moments to reflect upon a game I played in yesterday. Picture the scene. All ready and raring to go for the last match of the local league for my club in 2018. You've heard me mention a few times 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger,' not quite sure how I survived the full 60 minutes though. Battered like a vessel on a rocky sea; my bruises are a clear indication of the 'non-contact' sport I know and love. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I like a good clean game of netball which challenges both the mind and the body. However, this team were with 'the new contested times.' Pushing, shoving, swearing and holding to win the ball at all costs. To be honest, I left the court with my dignity still in tact and my head held high. So any youngsters out there, remember use your skill...

I know... it's been a while. Soz. As you know, I was in Dubai for a week for my 18th birthday. What an amazing week that was! Back to reality with a bump. 24 hours before jetting off, I was back in the trialling arena, with the hope to continue in the Lighting NPL squad. Fast forward to the day of the flight and I received the email to say... Before I give you the answer, I have learned a lot about myself these past few weeks. Being able to reflect upon the choice made by the selectors has enabled me to focus on what is important right now. In reality, the choices made by others somehow feeds into what I now prioritise for myself and my future, (which will always include netball. You can't get rid of me that easily!) Although the news is not what I hoped for, I am still very much part of Loughborough Lighting with being in the U19 academy. I was so close and it was down to the last game. Any netballer that faces rejection, it can feel like your world has come crashing dow...