News
Sarah Irwin honoured
Huge congratulations to GGNA alumni player and coach Sarah Irwin for being honoured by the Swiss Netball community. Sarah was awarded the Spirit of Sport Award which is a huge accolade with great meaning.
The Carmela Vonlanthen DiNenna Spirit of Sport Award was created in honour of netballer Carmela, who played in Switzerland for many years before passing away in April 2020 after many years of illness.
The full story is available here: https://swissnetball.ch/spirit-of-sport/
La Ligue Lemanique winners
by Alisa Nesmelova and Chiara Piergentili
The GGNA team had an exciting and competitive journey through the Lemanique League, which ran from September to April. Over the course of six intense matches, our players showed incredible skill, teamwork, and determination. Each match brought new challenges, but we rose to the occasion, securing the top spot in the tournament. Thanks to our great play and impressive point difference, we managed to win the league. A huge congratulations to all the players and coaching staff for their hard work and dedication.
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.
Bronze at Peppermill
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!
JCT 2025 - the journey to success for U11s and U13s
By Adele Bereaux
The JCT final for the U11 was very tight, because LGB is one of our toughest teams to play against. We all didn’t know if we could win against them, but our coach, Karen, had encouraged us that we could win and that we didn’t have to worry. Once we got on court, we were all ready to play against them. At first, they got a couple goals and we started to work even harder to catch up to them. Then we caught up to them making it a tie for the first quarter. Between the first quarter and the second quarter, Karen had told us that we had to work on our passing and our dodging because they kept on intercepting the ball. In the second quarter we did a lot better in terms of getting free and intercepting the ball, and we got two more goals: one was from Amaia and the other from Amelia.
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However, the second quarter still ended in a tie. In the half time, Karen told us to work our hardest and do our best. Since we had tied with LGB we still needed to do two more quarters of four minutes each. In the third quarter we did amazingly well. The teamwork between our WA (Duru), our GA (Amaia) and our GS (Amelia) was perfect. They went with no problem from the goal line third to the circle and into the goal, which was just fantastic. There was also some amazing defense from our GD (Martina), as so many of the interceptions came from her. At the end of the third quarter we were winning by one point, and everyone was so happy, but Karen told us to work our hardest and focus on passing and distance even though we were winning. During the fourth quarter, even though we were tired, we still put our all into the match and our GS and GA (Amelia and Amaia) had gotten some amazing shots in because of our WA (Duru), C (Xana), WD (Olivia), GD (Martina), and their amazing play. During some of the third quarter and the whole of the fourth quarter the U13 and U15 of GGNA were cheering us on and it felt so encouraging, I think that’s also another reason why we played so well. At the end of the fourth quarter we won by two points, and the whole team was full of joy. The U13 and U15 came over to congratulate us and celebrate. I am so proud of myself and my teammates; we all did an amazing job!
Swiss Netball Match play
By Georgie Morris
Match play was so exciting! Everyone was buzzing, and we were all jumping around in the change rooms before the game, laughing, and hanging out with our friends. We all had delicious snacks and enjoyed chatting and playing different card games with our friends whilst we waited for our match.
When we got on the court, I felt nervous but also really proud to be part of the GGNA team. We all cheered so loud for each other, and even when someone missed a goal, we kept shouting, “You’ve got this!”
You are always guaranteed to have fun, win or lose when you get to play together with your team.
Swiss Netball Matterhorn League
By Chloe Aulagne
Having been a player in the Matterhorn League for several years now, I can confidently say that this season has been the most valuable in terms of learning and growth.
Despite the many ups and downs, I’m proud to say that week after week, we came together as a team—continuously improving our play and striving for victory.
For this, I would like to thank my team, the coaches and our opponents.
Good luck for your next season!
Day in the life of a Junior Coach
by Lily Barber
My name is Lily, I’m a junior coach and I really love coaching the girls in netball. A junior coach is a paid job where an older girl from GGNA can help coach girls of a younger age group. When you are a junior coach you usually have another junior coach who also works with you. You then have a main coach (an adult) that is in charge of the whole team.
A junior coach is responsible for helping the main adult coach in any way they can. Whether that is assisting with a drill, treating an injury, umpiring a match, or helping a new girl feel welcome. Our job is to help the girls learn but also to be a fun presence and make them laugh in training. Junior coaches are always older girls in the club and it's helpful to have people who you can learn from and hear their experiences.
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In training you will often be setting up drills and leading them, teaching the girls different skills, and generally just talking and getting to know them.
For me specifically, I teach the U10 age category which I love because that is the very beginning in GGNA. At this age, one of the most important things is to make these training sessions fun and interesting because the sport is new to most of them. It's a lot about making friends and growing together as a team, and creating that team spirit that will become essential as they get older. All coaches, junior and senior, play a huge role in developing the girls' love for netball. They help make a safe and encouraging environment for everyone.
Coaching is also just as important for the coach themselves. It teaches you so much and helps you learn to be a helper and a leader. It also helps you get at least a bit of an understanding of what it's like to work with kids of varied ages, ways of learning and personalities.
I really love netball and it's such a big privilege to help other girls younger than me learn to love it as much as I do. And they are honestly some of the nicest and funniest girls I've ever met!
From Sidelines to Centre Circle: My Journey to Becoming a Swiss Netball Umpire
by Juan Luis Uslar
When I first started attending my daughters’ netball matches, I was like many parents—cheering from the sidelines, admiring their teamwork, and occasionally wondering what some of the calls meant. The more I watched, the more I appreciated the speed, skill, and structure of the game. But it wasn’t until I became a certified umpire with Swiss Netball that I truly understood how much goes into every whistle blown on court.
It was Sharon who first encouraged me to consider the umpiring course. Her support and gentle push gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and into the game in a whole new way. The training, led by Swiss Netball’s dedicated team, was not only thorough but incredibly empowering. I went from watching the game to truly reading the game.
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Umpiring has given me a new lens through which to view netball. I now see the strategy behind every pass, the discipline in every movement, and the importance of fair, confident decision-making. It’s also helped me connect with my daughters on a deeper level—they love that I understand their world better, and our conversations after matches are much richer (and often more animated!).
But beyond personal growth, what has struck me most is the amazing sense of community within Netball clubs, especially at GGNA😉 Whether you’re a player, coach, parent, or official, there’s a real spirit of collaboration and support. The umpiring pathway is open to all, and the organization makes sure you never feel alone in the process.
There is, however, a real and urgent need for more umpires—especially during league matches. Too often, coaches find themselves having to umpire and manage their teams at the same time, which is far from ideal for the flow of the game or the development of the players. More volunteer umpires would make a huge difference.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering about a call, or felt the urge to step a little closer to the game, I wholeheartedly encourage you to consider becoming an umpire. It’s not just about knowing the rules—it’s about being part of something bigger. You’ll gain confidence, skills, and a front-row seat to some incredible talent.
And who knows? You might just inspire the next generation—on and off the court.
England's Pamela Cookey
By Emma Walker
Having Pam Cookey as a guest coach was an amazing experience for me and the rest of the GGNA family. I liked that we learned new exercises and activities, and new tactics for getting free and driving.
Stacking – new tactics for the centre pass
It was interesting to learn a new way of doing the centre pass where the GA and WA would ‘stack’. ‘Stacking’ is where one player would go behind the other in a line, instead of being one on each side of the court. It was really good because the defenders didn’t know where to go, so made it easier for GA or WA to get free. This is important and useful for me because I usually play C or WA.
Inspiration and motivation
Pam Cookey was very positive and inspiring. She was very happy and smiley, and used lots of energy when she was coaching us. That made it fun and gave us all incredible motivation and made it easy for us to work really hard in the session. We worked hard on strengthening our muscles, especially our abdominals by doing a very long plank! I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to be coached by a former England player. I hope she comes to coach us again.
Karen Greig weekend: 2 & 3 Nov 2024
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.
Article by Emilia Eversden
"It was so kind of her to come to Geneva and train with us. We learnt so much from her and it was really fun. My favourite thing was when she taught us the L-shaped drive and the roll. She also taught us a lot about control of the ball which was really helpful for our matches. It was really exciting when we did a drill where we had two netballs, one person did a chest pass and the other one did a bounce pass. It was a really fun day of netball!"
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.
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.
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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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