Brogan Griffiths from Tean Valley Netball Club recently captained the U23 mixed team at the Indoor Netball Association World Cup in Australia, and we have had the great pleasure of finding out more about her experience!
Q. How did it feel to be selected and then given captaincy of your team for the 2015 World Cup?
When my manager Sarah Taffe first approached me to ask me to be captain, I was very emotional. Having played netball from such a young age, and maintaining my drive and determination to keep improving, to then be given the captaincy role was such an honour. It was a wonderful privilege; a job that I knew came with high expectations and huge responsibility. I was really excited to be given the opportunity to lead such a talented team forward in Australia, and it was also great to have the support from Tom Allen as vice captain. I was excited to take on the role and ready to support my team throughout the tournament, whether it was highs or lows. I looked forward to this commitment, and even though we didn’t come home with the results we wanted as a team, as captain I couldn’t of asked for anything more from each individual player. I learnt a lot and created a life time memory.
Q. How different is it playing in a mixed team compared to the usual 7-aside female squad?
Playing mixed netball is an amazing opportunity and experience. In Australia, New Zealand and South Africa male netball is so popular, the skill and talent they bring to the game is awesome, the elevation and the way they read the game to turn ball over is fantastic. Playing against countries with so much talent only helps to improve my own game, when observing and playing against the best teams in the world. As a country England doesn’t have enough males who play netball or nets, or who are even aware of mixed netball. It is however developing and the skills that males can bring to the court will help strengthen the England squads.
Q. How did you first get involved with NETS?
I first heard about Nets from one of my club players Danielle Jordan – Taft from Linden, and who competed in South Africa in 2013. She explained the game and told me that I would bring great talent to the team, and told me about the trials. It’s a great experience and helps to develop traditional netball skills and fitness. I felt this was an opportunity not to be missed, especially to wear red and white, and represent my country in the sport I loved. Following my first trial, I was selected for the England under 21 ladies team, and competed in South Africa 2014 - receiving 11 international caps. Then following this, I was selected to compete in the under 23s mixed squad this year in Australia and I received 15 international caps.
Q. During your World Cup campaign, which match did you enjoy the most, and why?
To be on court playing for my country every game means a lot, however the game that I did enjoy the most was game against South Africa in 6’s. After playing them the first time and unfortunately losing, the second time as a team we fought back harder and stronger and up until the fourth quarter we were winning by 12 goals. For various reasons we unfortunately did lose the game, however to be winning a game after losing the previous games was such a positive feeling, and as a team we worked well, and each and individual player gave 110% and more. If each player gives there all, then there is noting more as a captain I can ask for.
Q. Which team did you find it mentally and physically tough to play, and why?
The team I found most mentally and physically challenging was New Zealand; the team are a completely different standard in comparison to the other countries. The talent within the squad was amazing, 6s netball is played all around their country with huge amount of venues played on a weekly basis at a very high standard. Whereas, in comparison to England we only have 5 indoor netball venues, London, Bristol, Birmingham, Derby and Leicester and maybe only one or two of the venues play at a high standard. When playing New Zealand during the 2015 Aged world Championships they were so strong, so fast, 100% shooting statistics for every shooter, and knew how to adapt their game play according to their opposition. The first game New Zealand took the lead by average 50 goals. When it came to play them the second time and third time round, it was mentally hard to keep our heads high as each game they took away the lead. As a team to keep going for all 4/4 against such speed talent and there fantastic through court transition, we found this difficult to break and keep up our intensity. Although taking positives from this, New Zealand is a great team to learn from. Their amazing play showed when they won two gold medals’ within the competition, never losing a game.
When my manager Sarah Taffe first approached me to ask me to be captain, I was very emotional. Having played netball from such a young age, and maintaining my drive and determination to keep improving, to then be given the captaincy role was such an honour. It was a wonderful privilege; a job that I knew came with high expectations and huge responsibility. I was really excited to be given the opportunity to lead such a talented team forward in Australia, and it was also great to have the support from Tom Allen as vice captain. I was excited to take on the role and ready to support my team throughout the tournament, whether it was highs or lows. I looked forward to this commitment, and even though we didn’t come home with the results we wanted as a team, as captain I couldn’t of asked for anything more from each individual player. I learnt a lot and created a life time memory.
Q. How different is it playing in a mixed team compared to the usual 7-aside female squad?
Playing mixed netball is an amazing opportunity and experience. In Australia, New Zealand and South Africa male netball is so popular, the skill and talent they bring to the game is awesome, the elevation and the way they read the game to turn ball over is fantastic. Playing against countries with so much talent only helps to improve my own game, when observing and playing against the best teams in the world. As a country England doesn’t have enough males who play netball or nets, or who are even aware of mixed netball. It is however developing and the skills that males can bring to the court will help strengthen the England squads.
Q. How did you first get involved with NETS?
I first heard about Nets from one of my club players Danielle Jordan – Taft from Linden, and who competed in South Africa in 2013. She explained the game and told me that I would bring great talent to the team, and told me about the trials. It’s a great experience and helps to develop traditional netball skills and fitness. I felt this was an opportunity not to be missed, especially to wear red and white, and represent my country in the sport I loved. Following my first trial, I was selected for the England under 21 ladies team, and competed in South Africa 2014 - receiving 11 international caps. Then following this, I was selected to compete in the under 23s mixed squad this year in Australia and I received 15 international caps.
Q. During your World Cup campaign, which match did you enjoy the most, and why?
To be on court playing for my country every game means a lot, however the game that I did enjoy the most was game against South Africa in 6’s. After playing them the first time and unfortunately losing, the second time as a team we fought back harder and stronger and up until the fourth quarter we were winning by 12 goals. For various reasons we unfortunately did lose the game, however to be winning a game after losing the previous games was such a positive feeling, and as a team we worked well, and each and individual player gave 110% and more. If each player gives there all, then there is noting more as a captain I can ask for.
Q. Which team did you find it mentally and physically tough to play, and why?
The team I found most mentally and physically challenging was New Zealand; the team are a completely different standard in comparison to the other countries. The talent within the squad was amazing, 6s netball is played all around their country with huge amount of venues played on a weekly basis at a very high standard. Whereas, in comparison to England we only have 5 indoor netball venues, London, Bristol, Birmingham, Derby and Leicester and maybe only one or two of the venues play at a high standard. When playing New Zealand during the 2015 Aged world Championships they were so strong, so fast, 100% shooting statistics for every shooter, and knew how to adapt their game play according to their opposition. The first game New Zealand took the lead by average 50 goals. When it came to play them the second time and third time round, it was mentally hard to keep our heads high as each game they took away the lead. As a team to keep going for all 4/4 against such speed talent and there fantastic through court transition, we found this difficult to break and keep up our intensity. Although taking positives from this, New Zealand is a great team to learn from. Their amazing play showed when they won two gold medals’ within the competition, never losing a game.
Q. Tell us a memorable moment for you at the 2015 World Cup.
Most memorable moment at the 2015 World Champs is hard to choose just one, as the whole journey from Heathrow airport and back was an experience of a life time. From meeting as a country all in our England kit ready to travel to Australia, to singing the national anthem and leading my team on the court, meeting life long friends from other countries, the ups and downs when winning and losing, having to be supportive around team players to help keep our heads high, wearing the red and white colours representing my country, 5am ice baths in preparation for training and competition day, to celebrating the whole two weeks at the closing ceremony, was just a amazing experience - one In which will never be forgotten. With having so much passion for the game and with all the hard work, our preparation prior to the tournament training, 6 days a week sometimes twice a day, whether it was a track session or gym session, an experience like this is definitely an experience of a life time.
Q. Finally, what does the future look like for you? (Netball and non-netball)
My future aspirations are to continue developing my netball. At club level I would like to work towards being a regular premiership player, having some court time last season, I am hoping to work harder this season and to gain more court time. I am also working towards next years indoor netball open women trials, travelling out to New Zealand for my country and compete for the third time with indoor netball. This will be a huge challenge, and I will do my best to work as hard as I can to achieve this goal. A long term dream would be to become super league netball. Along side my netball, I have just started my own business after graduating with sports therapy degree, as this is something I have always wanted to achieve.
Most memorable moment at the 2015 World Champs is hard to choose just one, as the whole journey from Heathrow airport and back was an experience of a life time. From meeting as a country all in our England kit ready to travel to Australia, to singing the national anthem and leading my team on the court, meeting life long friends from other countries, the ups and downs when winning and losing, having to be supportive around team players to help keep our heads high, wearing the red and white colours representing my country, 5am ice baths in preparation for training and competition day, to celebrating the whole two weeks at the closing ceremony, was just a amazing experience - one In which will never be forgotten. With having so much passion for the game and with all the hard work, our preparation prior to the tournament training, 6 days a week sometimes twice a day, whether it was a track session or gym session, an experience like this is definitely an experience of a life time.
Q. Finally, what does the future look like for you? (Netball and non-netball)
My future aspirations are to continue developing my netball. At club level I would like to work towards being a regular premiership player, having some court time last season, I am hoping to work harder this season and to gain more court time. I am also working towards next years indoor netball open women trials, travelling out to New Zealand for my country and compete for the third time with indoor netball. This will be a huge challenge, and I will do my best to work as hard as I can to achieve this goal. A long term dream would be to become super league netball. Along side my netball, I have just started my own business after graduating with sports therapy degree, as this is something I have always wanted to achieve.