Having won an Origin Energy Premier League Opens title in 2018 and almost going back-to-back a year later, missing out on competition in 2020 would’ve been unthinkable for the Central Coast Heart.
The coastal franchise has been one of the major forces in recent years and flown the flag for many regional athletes in Netball NSW’s high-performance pathway competition.
But sometimes absence can make the heart grow fonder, and the COVID19-enforced delay to the season has only reinforced a stronger sense of purpose in the team.
So, what does playing in the midst of a global pandemic mean for the Heart?
“It means a lot,” club board member Dianne Selby says. “Having netball taken away from us for a few months has allowed us all time to reflect on and reconnect with our love of the game.
“We recognise how privileged we are to have the opportunity to play this year. It has lifted the spirits of everyone at Central Coast Heart and we are grateful to have something positive to work towards and look forward to every week.”
Planning weekly goals is what’s getting many through the greatest national crisis in a generation and the Heart have been flexible in their approach to this year’s condensed competition.
“Preparation for this season was like no other,” Selby adds.
“We had to be incredibly flexible and adaptable with our program to deal with all the challenges and curveballs that came our way with the COVID lockdown and regulations.
“Pre-season was extremely long and we had to be creative and think outside the square to keep the athletes motivated and invested.
“It was important for us to make sure our athletes were as ready as they could be to take the court in Round 1 despite the disruptions and we think we’ve achieved this goal.”
The Heart Opens have won their opening four games of the season and sit on top of Conference B, while the Under 23s are also well in the mix of their competition with two wins and two losses to their name.
Although Premiership success is the ultimate goal, taking stock and just enjoying netball is something the Heart wants its players and coaches to do.
“If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that nothing is certain,” Selby adds.
“With that in mind, our overall goal is to enjoy every opportunity we have to take the court, whether that be at training or in competition. Having fun is a big part of our philosophy and it’s never been more important.
“More specifically, our U23s will be working towards the goal of improving each week and making sure they make every team work hard against them.
“Making the finals is the ultimate goal for them, but they are taking each game as it comes and not getting too far ahead of themselves.
“Similarly, our Opens team is aiming to finish on top of Pool B so that they can have another genuine crack at the title.
“We’ve been lucky enough to retain the core group of Opens athletes from last year which has meant that we’ve come into this year’s competition with existing connections and combinations.
“This has certainly been an advantage for the Opens, along with a strong belief in each other and their ability as a team.”
Coupled with this has been a team-first mentality throughout the whole playing roster, which Selby says really came to the fore during the COVID19 lockdown.
“What has surprised us all this season is the entire playing groups’ commitment to the program.
“Isolation meant that face-to-face training ceased for some time and the responsibility fell to our athletes to largely self-motivate themselves to keep their fitness levels up and also to stay in touch with each other.
“While the management team provided structure and support around this, it was largely player driven and we are incredibly proud of our squad for that.
“Not surprisingly, this has meant that the squad, both Opens and U23s, has become a tight knit group who are fiercely supportive of each other.”
With such a collective and harmonious spirit it’s no wonder the Heart beats strong on the Central Coast.
