General News
8 September, 2021
Bombers training hard ahead of hoped return
COBDEN’S netball squads are maintaining a positive approach to a season resumption after the Hampden league announced its return to play plans last week.
COBDEN’S netball squads are maintaining a positive approach to a season resumption after the Hampden league announced its return to play plans last week.
Bombers mentor Sophie Hinkley said her playing group welcomed the news and was hopeful of a season resuming.
The league has been halted since August 20, with final round matches cancelled as regional Victoria re-entered a state-imposed lockdown.
“We’ve remained really positive throughout all the whole lockdown,” Hinkley said.
“I think we had to kind of maintain that and we’ve also had to be prepared to play no matter what went on.
“It was probably a relief to have plans (released), so we know that this week we can put in the work and next week we’d know what we’ll be doing.
“It’s really nice to have a bit of an end in sight and to know that if we work hard this week and we then don’t play then at worst all we’ve wasted is one week of hard work.”
The Bombers open and division one teams remain in finals contention, with the senior squad pairing up to keep fitness levels high during the shutdown.
Social media apps including Slack and Snapchat have also been put to work, with the group remaining connected by posting their completed sessions on the two platforms.
“Throughout the lockdowns we’ve used a buddy system,” Hinkley said.
“I had given the girls training programs to do in pairs as we were still able to exercise with one person.
“We thought it was important to keep that social connection with other people in the team and to still get agility work and ball work in at the courts.
“The girls have also had other fitness work throughout the season but Jess (McGlade) and I have been impressed with their dedication because they’ve done it all in their own time.”
Under the league’s plan, Cobden would face Koroit in a do-or-die semi-final, while South Warrnambool and Warrnambool would square off in the other contest set for the weekend of September 18 and 19.
The two winners would progress on to the grand final on Friday, September 24 but the league’s plan all relies on the State Government easing restrictions and allowing the return of community sport in regional Victoria.
However, Monday looms as the league’s deadline, with the league planning to cancel the rest of the season if no announcements were made before then.
Hinkley said it would be disappointing result for the entire club if the Bombers were unable to resume at the finals stage after an undefeated season.
The open netball side has been the competition’s benchmark during the home and away season for the past three seasons now but on the last two occasions has struggled in the post-season.
Hinkley said the group wanted its chance to right its wrong, but to also capitalize on its potential.
She said Cobden was lucky to have a dedicated and determined squad remain connected over the past four years, but knew it needed to overcome its biggest hoodoo.
The Saints have beaten Cobden in the past two grand finals, but Hinkley said two wins against the reigning premiers this year had boosted her side’s confidence.
Despite having not played for almost four weeks, the second-year mentor said the Bombers would be ready to go if the all clear is given.
“We played Koroit in the last game before lockdown so that’s a real positive for us,” Hinkley said.
“They’ve always been that team that has got the better of us when its counted but I think that game against Koroit really showed how much we have matured and grown as a playing group and has also given us confidence.
“We’ll just keep doing the work and hope for the best.”