News
Invitation to GGNA Sports Awards
We are excited to announce our GGNA Sports Awards are happening soon - and this year we are inviting players and parents to join the celebration! It's time to come together and recognise the talent, teamwork, effort and spirit that has made this season so special.
We have a new venue this year - the larger Salle Communale du Grand-Lancy which means everyone can sit down together to eat and enjoy the awards. RSVP in Team Snap.
Peppermill 2025
by Elsa Sanfeliu
The Peppermill tournament brought us passion and joy, allowing us to work on our resilience and commitment to the sport. Despite our loss against Aubonne in the semi-finals, we managed to keep our heads up and won 3rd place overall.
Thanks to our determination, team spirit and teamwork throughout the tournament, we were able to play netball in a structured and clean way. Pepermill allowed us to self-improve and motivated us as to hopefully reach our highest objectives next year!
Guest coach Pamela Cookey returns to GGNA in February 2025
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!
Club captains at GGNA
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!
Good luck to all our teams in the JCT 2024
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.
Karen Greig coaching weekend:
2 & 3 Nov 2024
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.
Registrations for 2024-2025 season now open
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.
Tournaments, matches and age banding
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.
Activity Report June 2024
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.
Read the full Article
Sports Awards 21 May 2024
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.
Junior Clubs Tournament (JCT)
November 2023
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!!
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Guest Coaching by former England Captain Pam Cookey November 2023
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.
Read the full Article
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.
UK Tour with Manchester Thunder November 2023
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.
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GGNA Sports Awards May 2023
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.
Guest Coaching by Anna Carter January 2024
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.
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