The GB Masters Women’s +55 team came together in Coventry to kick-start the new season, welcoming a new Head Coach alongside returning players and new faces trialling for the team.
The weekend began by establishing the team’s philosophy, with a clear focus on supporting every player to reach their potential and building a strong, united team. We also outlined how we intend to play this season, setting expectations around individual responsibilities, teamwork and decision-making on court.
Following the summer break, the players worked hard on conditioning and the fundamentals of the game before progressing to developing our transition offence and defence. A series of challenging drills, including scenarios where one team had to play at a disadvantage, encouraged players to think quickly, adapt and make effective decisions under pressure.
It was a demanding weekend, with tired legs and weary bodies by the end of the second day, but plenty of smiles along the way. The effort, attitude and commitment shown by the players throughout both days were superb. It was particularly encouraging to see improvements in positioning, maintaining focus when fatigued and applying strong defensive principles around the zone. The group responded well to the challenges presented, demonstrating resilience, determination and a willingness to learn.
A huge thank you to all the players for their enthusiasm, hard work and commitment. A special mention must go to Sam Wright, who, despite being unable to participate physically due to injury, still turned up and went above and beyond to support the team. From preparing and sweeping the court to keeping water bottles topped up, Sam’s contribution was invaluable and helped make the weekend such a success. That level of commitment reflects the team spirit we want to build.
Overall, it was an excellent start to the season, with solid foundations laid both on and off the court. There is plenty of work ahead, but the attitude and determination shown in Coventry provide real encouragement for the months to come.
We look forward to building on this progress at our next training weekend on 7–8 November as we continue to develop as a team and prepare for the season ahead.
Head Coach, Matt Stone said
“It was a really positive start to the season. The players embraced the challenges, worked hard for each other and showed a great attitude throughout the weekend. We’ve laid some solid foundations, and I’m looking forward to building on that progress as we continue to develop as a team.”
