Training
Our aim is to instil a love of the game. We encourage commitment to mastering the skills required to play netball, developing teamwork and the discipline to win matches.
Training is split by age group and ability; each age group has a dedicated coaching team.
2023/24 training schedule
| Age Group | School Years | Training Night | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U11/12 | Years 5, 6 and 7 | Wednesday | 5.30 - 6.45pm | Hornsey School for Girls |
| U11/12 | Years 6 and 7 | Wednesday | 6.45 - 8.00pm | Hornsey School for Girls |
| U13 | Year 8 | Monday | 5.30 - 7.00pm | Channing Junior School |
| U14/15 | Years 9, 10 and 11 | Monday | 7.00 - 8.30pm | Channing Junior School |
| U14/15 | Years 9 and 10 | Wednesday | 5.30 - 7.00pm | Channing Senior School |
| U14/15 Performance Squad | Years 9 and 10 | Wednesday | 7.00 – 9.00pm | Channing Senior School |
| U18 Performance Squad | Years 11, 12 and 13 | Monday | 5.30 – 7.30pm | Channing Senior School |
| U18 | Years 11, 12 and 13 | Monday | 7.30 – 9.00pm | Channing Senior School |
We play in the North London Netball League and the Middlesex County Netball League.
Outside of the leagues we organise as many friendly matches with other clubs as we can during a season.
Training Location
Term Dates 2023/24
Training and Match Preparation
Please ensure that your daughter is fully prepared for training sessions and match play by making sure of the following:
- wears appropriate sports clothes and sports trainers
- removes jewellery
- ties hair back
- keeps finger nails short
- is prepared for indoor or outdoor play with appropriate additional clothing for hot or cold weather. These additional items are not allowed during match play, other than by medical exception for gloves
- brings a water bottle for individual use
Leagues
SENIORS, U16, U14, U13 & U12
We play in the North London Netball League and the Middlesex County Netball League.
Outside of the leagues we organise as many friendly matches with other clubs as we can during a season.
Commitment Policy to Match Play
At Sparks we are committed to developing all players across all levels of the game. We have waiting lists across all age groups and because of this we ask for training and match day commitment from our players.
Players who are included in a match playing teams are expected to be available for training and match days. There will be times when players will miss sessions due to holidays or illness, they are expected to notify their coaches.
We understand that players may have commitments to play school fixtures on a Saturday. We are flexible and will work with schools and parents to agree the best solutions in each case.
Any player who misses three consecutive training sessions or match days without agreement with the coach may forfeit their position in the team.
We hope parents will support this policy and understand commitment to fairness that sits behind it.
Fees
The club is a not-for-profit organisation. Termly fees cover the costs of standard weekly training sessions and league matches. Fees range from £65-£90 depending on age group and length of session. There may be additional charges for extension training sessions, tournaments and ad hoc events and training.
All players are required to be affiliated to England Netball. Instructions on how to do this will be provided when your daughter joins the club.
Academy Training
At Sparks we are committed to developing all players across all levels of the game. Academy sessions run alongside regular training sessions and are used to provide focussed and specialist training to develop technical skills and team dynamics. This means the sessions vary in content across any given year and participants may be grouped by skill level, playing positions, team and/or by age group.
Academy sessions are run mainly by external coaches depending upon the skill or session. This allows us to draw from a wide range of experience and technical skill across the netball community, including England Netball, to deliver focussed and specialised sessions.
Sessions are charged in addition to training fees. Costs may vary depending upon the length of the sessions and/or the coaching costs to be covered. The sessions are run on a not-for-profit basis.
Kit
We encourage all players to have a club hoodie. Players are required to wear a club dress and hoodie when attending matches or tournaments. The dress is not compulsory unless playing a match.
Dresses and hoodies are ordered in batches at specific times throughout the year. Please be aware that any kit ordered may not be delivered immediately.
Please contact the Kit Manager at for information regarding ordering either match day dresses or hoodies.
