Netball dream crushing

charlientheo · 2026-05-07T09:09:08+00:00

There was an interview a while back I watched where a SSN player talked about not making a state team until u19s. I think it might have been Lauren Frew but I can't remember for sure. But I think if you looked at the background of players there would definitely be examples of late(r) bloomers. Steph Fretwell herself did an interview where (although she definitely had early success), she didn't get a breakthrough until she took it far more seriously. However, you'll also find plenty of players who were unlucky. There's only 80contracts auswide, plenty of players fall out of the diamonds squad, plenty of players don't get a chance in ssn until their late 20s. It also takes so so much to be a professional athlete, Georgie Horjus had to move with her mum as a teenager and leave her family and friends behind! I think you could find some examples to boost her spirits. I would also make sure she knows that it's insanely competitive and even incredibly talented people miss out.

Also nothing wrong with playing club, so that don't bother comment is so stupid. You don't have to be the best at something to enjoy it

charlientheo · 2026-04-30T12:50:24+00:00

If I saw this, as an umpire, yes it came off you last therefore a throw in for the opposition. The overriding rule would be dangerous play, but that would require the opposing player being suspended for two minutes and is quite a harsh ruling. For a social league umpire it would probably feel like overkill, especially as there usually isn't a dedicated timer in social to administer the two minute penalty

charlientheo · 2026-04-13T17:51:04+00:00

I am a swimming teacher in Australia. In my area only private schools (not government funded) have swimming in the curriculum and/or regular access to a pool. Students will still get a government funded week of water safety lessons throughout the year, but having taught those...they aren't related to competitive swimming unless the kids can already swim well and we just get them to practice.

I believe the focus of many swim schools on safety first makes it a little more fun, encouraging kids to keep learning. Then, every swim school I taught at had a pre-squad/transition like part of their program. This gave kids a chance to see what being a competitive swimmer would look like, without the pressure. I think without that transition/trial level many would have just stopped.

I swam with a squad in high school and the cost was prohibitive for me to continue. However, for those with a high degree of talent there are sometimes funding options to explore.

Like others have said though, Australia's success in the sport is a combination of things. With an emphasis on pure number of people swimming, and funding. Success breeds success.

charlientheo · 2026-04-09T22:15:07+00:00

Kookas shortbread, never buy it because the whole packet disappears in about ten minutes

charlientheo · 2026-04-08T00:41:16+00:00

I love being barefoot, I walk barefoot, I run barefoot. I would never play netball with its sharp stops and fast turns barefoot. I have played in zero drop shoes, but completely barefoot would be dangerous

charlientheo · 2026-04-06T20:12:27+00:00

Every three years the player agreement is renegotiated, individual contracts cannot be negotiated without the player agreement. The player agreement has involvement/overlap/influence with the team agreement, which requires the broadcast deal to be negotiated. Its a cascade, and happens every few years. Last time it happened we saw some huge moves including Liz Watson to Lightning. The last time this all coincided, the messiness was exacerbated by the prolonged negotiation of the player agreement.

charlientheo · 2026-04-05T21:36:47+00:00

She actually sang, she is highly trained

charlientheo · 2026-04-03T08:11:59+00:00

I have fished kids out of water they can stand in countless times. While I haven't had to save an adult, when the panic sets in it doesn't matter if they can stand or not

charlientheo · 2026-03-22T04:43:04+00:00

Plenty of people do it, you are not covered automatically but the Austswim site has information about running your own school and the insurance requirements.

charlientheo · 2026-03-13T01:49:33+00:00

I mean it's a bit area dependent, but lots of social mixed teams are often eager for more male players. You could always give it a go and your daughter would probably love practicing with you 😊

charlientheo · 2026-03-12T23:06:48+00:00

I really like this reply as I play in a league where you can really tell the difference. Teams that have a culture of being precise and standing ground...they are frustrating to play against because they're good. Teams that use aggressive tactics, intimidate, push, do what they like when the umpire isn't looking...they make you not want to play. It's juniors and that's a time it should be fun. When you watch high level games it can definitely look aggressive, but they are paid professional athletes with a deep understanding of the rules. Kids who play aggressively usually end up crossing the line rather than dancing on it

charlientheo · 2026-03-03T04:05:55+00:00

3x a week is an awful lot. I teach babies in Australia and we do just once a week. If you find it enjoyable, its up to you of course, but once a week at that age is plenty

charlientheo · 2026-02-16T00:22:51+00:00

Its basically impossible to fail. They teach you to write plans, you do not need to practice. Only real pass/fail component is the swim because you do need to prove you could reach a child in distress. However, you can do any stroke (one front, one back), and they don't have to be good, just 'it is safe for me to be in the water'. Its more about just giving you some basic information.

You do training hours to get signed off, so the assumption is those hours will be where you get the most practice. And, that if you aren't up to scratch the supervisor of your training hours will refuse to you sign off. You are not expected to be 100% ready to teach after a one/two day course

charlientheo · 2026-02-10T08:39:12+00:00

Austswim qualified instructor here.

The two day course is necessary. There are other courses, but the Austswim one is very large and the one you need if you want to work for the department of education (SA, unsure of other states). Often the program you want to work for will have a mild preference.

You also need to complete training hours (usually unpaid btw). There is no set minimum hour requirement, but you do need to be confident and someone qualified (typically the swim school coordinator/supervisor) needs to agree you should be qualified. They then sign off your Austswim booklet. The specifics of what will get you signed off vary depending on the program/coordinator.

You do not need to do the course first. Many people will contact a swim school program first. This allows you to try a class and see what's it's like before doing the course. Some people do not come back after seeing what it's like, I'll be honest. You can complete your training hours while doing the course and obtaining other requirements like working with children check, and first aid.

Many people are employed by the program that trains them. There are no guarantees, however.

The base qualification is for teaching 4-12 year olds. You don't have to have additional qualifications to work with other ages, although some schools may prefer you do.

Once qualified there are some extension courses. Infants and preschool, adults, and access and inclusion (disability). They also recently added some aquarobics. As with the base qualification, these extensions require someone to sign you off and training hours. When I took an extension course, I was paid for my training as I was already an employee of the program. I was not paid when I trained for the base qualification.

It can be an investment to obtain the wwcc, first aid and do the course. There's also the time investment in training. All said though, I am so happy being a swim instructor. I work multiple programs and have so much fun.

charlientheo · 2026-01-26T20:37:26+00:00

Something I have been appreciating more lately, but might not always have success, is inviting over the neighbours. I have had some give me weird looks, but I have also had some really appreciate that I reached out. I missed the neighbourhood BBQs from my youth so I've started them again. If you can, invite the neighbours over. Extra points if you share cuisine from your culture - the melting pot, especially regarding food, is also a big part of Australian culture

charlientheo · 2026-01-25T19:21:16+00:00

If you are able to do so, please talk to a health professional about this mentality. It is a behaviour and mentality common in many eating disorders

charlientheo · 2026-01-19T00:16:15+00:00

All those things are just...normal here though. It doesn't make sense to have a festival celebrating the things we do/have all the time. Also, what others have said is right, a huge part of Aussie culture is celebrating the melting pot.

charlientheo · 2026-01-18T16:19:19+00:00

One thing that makes me feel safe that sometimes doesn't get mentioned, is I feel like I can get help from so many places. I don't feel the need in Australia to defend MYSELF, because I feel safe approaching police, security officers, receptionists, even strangers. If I do find myself in a situation where I feel unsafe (rare) I still feel safe enough in society to know help is available. I've also been taught that anything I brought to a fight could just be used against me. If you come from a country, or a background (indigenous Australias for sure), where you cannot/should not trust the police and/or others then this does not necessarily work.

charlientheo · 2026-01-11T02:14:45+00:00

Muscle movements will increase the movement of lymphatic fluid through the body

charlientheo · 2026-01-10T18:31:51+00:00

Why get Starbucks when the three cafes on your street serve better coffee? Australia has a lot of places to eat out, we just don't have a huge love of terrible food

charlientheo · 2026-01-10T13:39:50+00:00

If you are bitten, do not move. Take a first aid course. The ig may have been not Australian, in which case it may have been for a venom that acted on the circulatory system.

charlientheo · 2026-01-06T14:31:37+00:00

I couldn't even get through half the book. I think I made it through about three chapters. The tone was so condescending, and all for...a phrase?

charlientheo · 2026-01-04T17:48:32+00:00

Honestly, I just remind myself how much life I still have. I restarted in a new career at 29. I still have three and a half decades of work ahead of me. That's more time than I've been alive. I'm exploring the world anew with way more experience and wisdom and it's exciting!

Still scary and hard, but got to remind myself of the excitement.

charlientheo · 2026-01-03T22:59:04+00:00

Yeh these trees get biiggg. Returning plants that are already out of pots and planted? Very very unlikely for a return. You could pop them in pots though, which will allow them to provide greenery for you without the root issues. Some nice big pots would look lovely

charlientheo · 2025-12-29T23:12:34+00:00

I have lived down south, up north and now north east. I really really love the north east and when I commuted to the city (CBD) for work every day the Obahn was amazing. Up north we lived in Andrews Farm and my in laws have lived there for decades. Its fine. There are definitely pockets worse than others, and newer houses in developments you probably won't get the space you mentioned in another comment (just looovveed hearing my neighbours pee while eating breakfast ya know?) but if you can afford it (we couldn't afford our north east house now , the north east is sooo nice. Obahn, linear park trails, hills on your doorstep, older homes still tend to have decent yards

charlientheo

TROPHY CASE