GGNA is excited to provide an exclusive opportunity for U11 to U18 players to be coached by legendary former England netballer Pamela Cookey next month, offering our athletes the chance to learn from one of the sport’s most accomplished players.
Pam is one of the UK’s most decorated netballers and brings a wealth of experience to our club, inspiring our players to reach new heights.
During the special coaching sessions over the weekend of 15 – 16 February, GGNA players will get hands-on coaching covering everything from shooting accuracy to game strategy. Players will also have the chance to ask questions, hear about her journey to the top and gain motivation from a true netball icon. Sign up is in Team Snap.
We can’t wait to welcome Pam back to Geneva!
What makes a good netball captain?
Our netball captains lead by example, they take GGNA’s standards and try their best to set this standard at training and in games. They arrive to training early, working hard, never give up and they regularly discuss with their teammates and coaches what support is needed and what they also need for their own development.
What are the skills of a netball captain?
Netball captains have different styles and ways of doing things. Some netball captains lead through communication. Encouraging but also when necessary, pushing the team to be better. Other netball captains lead by example and their actions on the court. Figuring out their leadership skills and style can take time and this is why being chosen in this role at GGNA is a chance to develop this part of their character and style.
GGNA looks for captains to show leadership skills by inspiring others, communicating ideas clearly and making fair and balanced decisions for the team. Strong netball skills are important too; captains don't have to be the most talented player but should be able to demonstrate skills during practice and lead by example during matches. Coaches look for players who have shown commitment to the club through regular attendance at training sessions, games and club events. A positive attitude is vital to encourage teammates especially during challenging times. Setting an example by being punctual, prepared and maintaining a good work ethic is important too.
Would you like to be considered for next season?
Talk to your coach about how ready you are and what else you might need to demonstrate to be considered in the future. Good luck!
This year GGNA arrives at the JCT to defend its gold medals in four age categories. This tournament is the most competitive event we face each season. Securing a repeat victory would mark not only the culmination of months of hard work but also showcase the strength of teams and a community united by a shared passion for netball. Winning would reflect a commitment to excellence and resilience, demonstrating what can be achieved when players, coaches and supporters give their best together.
A victory in any division would honour the hours each player has devoted, balancing school and personal lives to attend every practice, sharpen their skills and push themselves to the limit. Commitment fosters progress and unity builds strength. The JCT challenges us to perform at our best.
For our seasoned players, a repeat victory would underscore their dedication to the team. They understand that victories are never guaranteed and that true success lies in every player committing totally. Our U17s serve as role models for younger players, demonstrating what it means to play with humility, integrity and teamwork.
Supporters, families and friends also play an essential role in GGNA’s success, making every victory as significant for them as it is for the players. We hope to build on GGNA’s reputation as one of the country’s respected clubs, inspiring others to join and grow within the netball community.
We are very excited to be hosting Karen Greig, the highly esteemed head coach of Manchester Thunder, one of the leading teams in the Vitality Netball Superleague. This is an incredible opportunity for all of our players, coaches, and netball enthusiasts to learn from one of the best in the business.
Karen Greig is a name that resonates across the netball world. As the head coach of Manchester Thunder, Karen has led her team to multiple Superleague titles, including their most recent triumphs in 2019 and 2022. Her strategic brilliance, passion for player development, and deep understanding of the game make her one of the most respected coaches in netball today. Karen’s expertise covers not only high-performance coaching but also grassroots development, which is what makes her visit to GGNA so exciting for players of all levels.
A former international player herself, Karen represented England with pride and skill, competing in numerous international tournaments. Her transition from player to coach has been seamless, as she brings the same intensity, knowledge, and love for the game to the sidelines, inspiring athletes and coaches alike.
Registrations for Karen Greig’s coaching clinics are open now in Team Snap.
New members are welcome to join GGNA for the new season in September. We have space in each age category at the moment and will run a wait list for the most highly subscribed training sessions.
Existing GGNA players are automatically re-registered so you do not need to do anything.
New players are encouraged to sign up online (go to the JOIN US page and follow the steps).
If you are not sure about registering and have questions email us on admin@geneva-netball.net and we will answer your queries.
The “Junior Clubs Tournament (JCT)” is the only competitive tournament for the U11s, U13s, U15s and U17s. It takes place in November and teams are by selection. The other matches throughout the year are friendly match plays and if we need to limit the number of players selected, the priority is given to those who do not get selected for JCT. The seniors and some U15s also compete in the Swiss adult league (Sept – May) and the Swiss adult tournament “The Peppermill” (March).
The age banding for the sessions is based on the age the players are on 31st December of that year. This is because the competitive junior tournament, “Junior Clubs Tournament (JCT)” and 2 out of 3 match plays take place between September and December.
As a result of this age banding, some girls may “age out” of their group in January. However they stay in their original training groups because this affects approx. 50% of the players and we can’t move everyone, plus it would be logistically impossible to change the day of training halfway through the term. For example, Player X turned 14 in late 2023 so now that we’re in 2024 she is no longer able to compete with the U13 team in match play. Player X will continue to train with her U13 group and she will compete in the U15 team when the time comes. She will be invited to train with the U15s before the match so the team has the experience of playing together.
We are thrilled to share the highlights of an exceptional year at GGNA, capturing the spirit and achievements of our thriving netball community. In the words of our founder, Jo Beveridge, "we are going from strength to strength!" It has been a joy to witness our GGNA family grow, with an increasing number of dedicated parent supporters and the strong bonds forming among our players, both on and off the court.
Our website has been newly updated to provide you with an even better experience. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
MEMBERSHIP
Club Size: Our club now boasts 89 members, a testament to our vibrant and welcoming community.
New Members: We welcomed 21 new players and one returner, primarily in the U10 and U11 groups. Additionally, we had 7 new members in the U13 and U15 groups, a crucial age where many girls often drop out of sports.
Session Popularity: Two of our sessions are at full capacity: U10s and the Monday U15s.
Academy Training: An impressive 21 girls were selected for Academy training.
SWISS NATIONAL TEAMS
We continue to shine on the national stage with a significant representation of GGNA players in the Swiss National Squads. Their dedication and talent make us incredibly proud.
U17 Swiss Squad: 9 GGNA girls were selected for the U17 Swiss National Squad, with 6 participating in the U17 European Challenge Cup Championships in Gibraltar in February 2024.
U21 Swiss Squad: 5 GGNA players and recent alumni were part of the first Swiss U21 team who competed in the European Championships in Sheffield in October 2023.
Adult Swiss Team: 3 GGNA alumni and our coach Connie Bannon were selected for the adult Swiss team for the European Championship this month, although Connie couldn't participate due to injury.
Academy Success: 8 out of 9 of our Academy girls who trialled were selected for the Swiss National Squads.
TOURNAMENTS, LEAGUE AND MATCH PLAYS
Our teams have demonstrated remarkable success and sportsmanship across various competitions.
Junior Clubs Tournament (JCT): We achieved a new record, WINNING all four age categories (U11, U13, U15, U17) for the second consecutive year!
Matterhorn Adult League: Our first team TRIUMPHED in the Matterhorn League, competing against adult teams and securing a prestigious win which was due to the incredible team spirit as well as skill that our girls have nurtured over the years. Our pathway team had to compete in the Matterhorn league this year due to the number of Swiss national players on the squad. This team was essentially our U15 squad and they played some amazing netball and gave all sides a good run for their money. To get this sort of experience so young stands them in very good staid for the future.
Peppermill, National Adult Tournament : Our first team narrowly missed the semifinals by a mere 0.02 points average.
Match Plays: Participation in all three Swiss Match Plays provided valuable experience and enjoyment for our players.
Friendly Matches: We played friendly matches against Meinier
Manchester Thunder Tour: Our tour to Manchester Thunder included high-level coaching, competitive matches against local clubs, and fun social activities.
GUEST COACHES
We were privileged to host two esteemed England coaches this year, enriching our training programs with their expertise.
Pamela Cookey: The legendary netball player and England captain shared techniques for managing tough opponents and maximising space during her visit in November. Her motivating presentation about team spirit and resilience at the Sports Awards was loved by everyone.
Anna Carter: The former England player and head coach of Loughborough Lightning and founder of Elite Academy brought her expertise in January 2024. After watching our league matches, she tailored Academy training based on what she had observed.
We were able to offer other club members the opportunity to train with both coaches and we could see the benefit in those girls who had attended these training sessions. Therefore, we will be offering the same opportunity next season.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES
Christmas Party: Our action-packed Christmas party, full of games and fun was not just for the girls but for the first time for the parents too with a quiz and netball bingo!! The ever popular “Parent vs Players” matches were a highlight and despite parents being in full competitive mode, they were overcome by the netball talent of their daughters!
GGNA Awards: Our best-ever awards event on May 21st was an uplifting, inclusive and stylish event that was a fantastic celebration of the players’ achievements and a great opportunity to enjoy some social time together fostering our sense of community. Award winners will be listed on Instagram and on our website.
Academy Trials: Scheduled for June 22, 2024, we look forward to welcoming new talent and continuing our successful guest coaching program.
Summer Camp: Our first summer camp in a decade, was held in July 2023 in collaboration with IIL Campzone and provided an enriching experience despite low attendance.
International Women's Day: We raised 750chf with an additional 250hf donated from GGNA for "Plan" International through bake sales, supporting girls' rights worldwide. Thank you for your generosity.
Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment. Together, we are building not only skilled netball players but also confident and responsible individuals. We look forward to another fantastic year ahead!
Warm regards,
The GGNA Team
We were happy to share the highlights of an exceptional year at GGNA and to celebrate the growth of the GGNA family at our annual Sports Awards held in La Ferme Marignac in the commune of Lancy.
Almost every player attended and plenty of parents too. Thanks to you all for creating a happy and supportive environment in which to celebrate each other and the club.
Head Coach Tom opened the event with an overview of the year. This was followed by presentations from all the GGNA coaches about their teams. Awards were given out to each age category's Most Improved Player and Most Valued Player. Congratulations to all the players and all the winners.
There are lots of photographs of the event on Instagram so head over there to see more. Let us know if you want any copies for yourselves.
Written by U13 players Emilie Gamez and Evie Bills
On 19 of November 2023, we had our only tournament of the year playing for GGNA. We played in the U13s team having the pressure as GGNA has never lost in this category for the last few years. All of the players in our team started the day stressed and worried, however that soon wore off when our team got the ball down the court and got the first goal in against kingfishers, who we thought were going to be our competition in the finals at the end of the day. We won in the end 13-6!!
As the day went on, we were all excited however slightly worried about playing against different teams.
Then we played the other teams and won every match. (28-0, 20-7, 23-4) When we won the last match before the finals, we all wanted to know who we were going to have to play. We were all very relieved that we’d made it into the finals, not thinking that it was not going to be as close or as stressful as it actually was as we had beaten the other teams by big margins
The finals:
As we had already beaten Kingfishers in the rounds, we felt a bit less worried but ... ...
As soon as the umpire whistled to start the match, the other team got a goal straight in, that was when we started to stress and worry about losing. Then as soon as the ball was in the circle for our shooters to have a shot. The crowd had gone silent.
When our shooters scored and it was 1-1 everyone was relieved. Most of the game the ball was going back and forth, going to one team and then someone doing an interception and then it would be the other team. Then it was half time, and the whole team was still pretty worried, especially after having a couple of our team members getting injured or angry.
Then we were back on court a minute later. The ball was going back and forth from both teams. Then suddenly there were 2 minutes left, we were 1 point down, we needed 2 goals to win it. Then we got one goal in making it 9-9 and both teams were fighting hard and weren’t ready to give up yet. It was fighting for victory and for the title of being the best U13 team of 2023. Suddenly our team had the ball and it was flying all the way down the court to our shooters. Then it was in the circle. The crowd had gone silent again. Our victory depended on one more shot…then it went in! We were up by one point with under a minute to go! All we had to do was stop it from getting down to their shooters. By the time the ball landed on their side of the court the bell rang meaning it was the end of the game. We had beat the other team even though it was one of our hardest games we have ever played before in these past few years.
Written by U13 player Valerie Nozdriskova
“Keep your balance” is something I’ll carry in my mind for many years after meeting Pam Cookey. Pam Cookey is someone I look up to in the world of sports. She is the most incredible netball player I have ever seen before. Her techniques and coaching are very well structured and well working together.
As soon as our training with Pam began, I felt an incredible surge of motivation, team spirit and strength. I've never played netball before, so for me it's a completely new experience in the field of sports. New techniques, exercises and much more - all new to me as I started practicing netball.
Pam Cookey and netball helped me to realize what team spirit is and how important it is to see and hear others - not only during games or rehearsals, but also in everyday life.
One of the most useful and best tips Pam gave to me was to keep balance and work on it every day. I remember she said to train balance even in your daily routine, for example, when you brush your teeth in the mornings and evenings, stand on one leg and keep your balance until you finish the task.
Another piece of advice she shared with our team was to see people around and understand whether they are ready to take your ball or not. Pay attention to the small details that happen around your team members and with you. Whether they are looking at the ball, whether your opponents are standing around them. How the opponents can prevent you from throwing the ball and how to prevent the opponents from getting the ball. You need to look around and choose the best place and time to throw the ball.
I am very grateful to Sharon and Pam for this very special training session. Sharon, thank you very much for trusting me with such an important thing. Frankly, it was more of a coaching type of session to work on my mindset - to see the field differently, to look behind the moves. Mindset matters, and stay beyond those 90 minutes we spent with Pam. “Keep your balance!”
Written by U15 player Olivia Mailänder
The trip to Manchester with our netball club was an amazing experience , not only did we learn a lot but the trip also enhanced a sense of friendship among the GGNA girls, strengthening our bond both on and off the court .The memories and lessons from our Manchester trip will stay with us for a very long time and I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to go .
Manchester was truly transformative as being coached by experienced coaches from England made us learn so much. The drills we learned were not only challenging but also incredibly effective in improving our skills.
Under the guidance of the England coaches, we worked on our techniques, improved our teamwork, and understanding of strategic gameplay at a higher level. Personally, this challenged me to push beyond my limits, thanks to the opportunities i had all along the trip. However coaching wasn’t the only thing helping us improve, we were very lucky to play against incredible teams such as Manchester Thunder and this was a crucial aspect of our learning. The challenge of facing such experienced, athletic opponents forced us to elevate our game and adapt quickly. I personally learned so many strategies to use as a WD and successfully used them in matches when we came back to Geneva. It was on the court, where we truly grew as players and as a team. Each match tested our skills, resilience, and teamwork, pushing us to our limits and revealing areas for improvement. As players it helped us adapt, learn and progress together.
Bringing back these learnings to Geneva was great in enhancing our team dynamics and overall gameplay on the court. The techniques we learned in Manchester became part of our training as well as matches and i could see our team playing with much more confidence as we had learned new ways to playing successfully.
Last May the whole club was invited to come together and celebrate the highs and lows of the 2023 - 2024 season. With nearly 100 attendees we filled La Ferme Marignac to the rafters! The GGNA Committee and parent volunteers had decorated the venue to resemble our colours and parents and players brought along delicious food and drinks to share together.
Awards were given for Outstanding Achievement, Coach's Player and Most Improved Player as well as Little Miss Active / Helpful / Enthusiastic etc. awards throughout each training group. Huge congratulations to all the players and winners!
Congratulations also to all the coaches for writing speeches about their training groups’ highlights and for delivering glowing summaries of the season.
Written by Seniors player Elena Colabella
As the GGNA club, we are always trying to improve and refine our play, and this commitment to the pursuit of excellence is at the heart of our club spirit. As a matter of fact, on Sunday 14th January, we had the incredible opportunity and privilege to host a training session led by none other than renowned Anna Carter, now founder and Head Coach of Elite Netball Academy in England. The training session kicked off with a warm welcome and a short introduction to our guests, Anna and Emily, and their impressive netball journeys.
Then, we immediately started the warmup, as the anticipation and excitement in the air were almost palpable. The session was divided into offensive and defensive drills, starting from more basic versions and gradually progressing into more intricate exercises, refining our skills. Something which I particularly enjoyed was Anna and Emily’s constant guidance throughout the training, and the constructive personalised feedback they gave to each player. This individualised attention was especially helpful, pushing us to our limits and encouraging us to embrace challenges in order to become better players. As the day progressed, we then moved onto matchplay, incorporating what we had learnt from the drills into our play. During the matches, the coaches gave us constant feedback, emphasising the critical importance of court spacing and effective communication. It was absolutely amazing to see how, in such a short time, we were able to elevate our gameplay, becoming not only better players, but also better teammates. The coaches guided us to seamlessly transition between attack and defence, and constantly read off each other’s moves. The session concluded with an insightful debrief, where we all contributed to say something which we had learnt from the training. Overall, it was honestly such an amazing experience; Anna is an exceptional, charismatic woman, constantly giving us feedback, which was both constructive and humorous, making the session enjoyable and extremely valuable at the same time. A heartfelt thank you to our guest coaches and to the GGNA committee for making this opportunity possible, inspiring us and making us better people both on and off the court. This experience was truly special and I am sure it has left an indelible mark on all of us. I can’t wait to see how we apply these lessons in our upcoming matches!
We train in the indoor gyms at: