A comprehensive lesson from two of netball’s best teachers has been the icing on the cake for Bond University’s elite squad during the Bull Sharks’ successful pre-season tour to Melbourne.
The 23-strong touring squad were put through their paces by former England and current Melbourne Mavericks coach Tracey Neville and Australian Diamonds Assistant Coach Nicole Richardson at the Mavericks’ training base at Waverley Netball Centre.
“It was an extraordinary opportunity,” Bond University’s Head of Netball Kim Boland said.
“Neville and Richardson are absolute giants of the game.
“Tracy (Neville) has successfully steered elite domestic and national programs for a long time and Nicole (Richardson) is an out-and-out legend of Australian netball.”
Bull Sharks Sapphire coach Bec Stower said the entire squad – coaches included – took plenty away from the experience.
“They were so inviting and really open with the girls, but it was really intense.
“They set out what they needed the session to look like really early, set the bar high and didn’t fluff around.
“For us as a coaching team to experience the different drills and specialist sessions that they really validated that we are heading in the right direction with our players and this was a really great extension and a different perspective on the different strategies we are already putting into place.”
Earlier in the week the Bull Sharks kicked off their tour with high-quality tour games against powerful Victorian Netball League clubs Melbourne University Lightning and City West Falcons.
Short several star players, Bond’s Sapphire team pushed their highly credentialed opponents in both match-ups. A very inexperienced Ruby team performed similarly in their games.
Boland said the coaching staff has been delighted with the squad’s performance thus far.
“With Mia Stower and Jayden Molo unavailable, and with our Queensland Firebirds Training Partners managing their playing loads, we’ve been forced to test our younger players against very physical and well-drilled opponents,” Boland said.
“It’s allowed us to experiment with a few things and we’ve been extremely encouraged by the way the girls have stuck to their plans and worked hard for each other.”
Boland said the purpose of the pre-season camp was to put the finishing touches on the 2025 playing rosters and to work on player combinations.
“It's been an invaluable opportunity to bring the squad together and foster new connections between both the new and returning athletes,” she said.
The tour also represents an opportunity to instil good habits.
The squad is completing daily sessions at Salt Movement and Recovery, a specialist training and rehabilitation facility founded by former Essendon and Fremantle AFL player and Gold Coast Suns coach, Dean Solomon - one used regularly by AFL Premiers the Brisbane Lions on their frequent forays south.
“I think a lot of people underestimate the strain netballers put their bodies under during a season,” Boland said.
“Netball is a very intense and physically demanding game with a high injury attrition rate.
“All of them are managing full training and playing commitments while either studying or working full time.
“It’s so important that the girls understand the value of not just preparing properly, but also looking after themselves in their downtime.”
The Bull Sharks will play their final tour fixtures against the North East Blaze before returning home on Monday.