Well playing so far away from home couldn’t stop the Claws from doing anything! Winning the North Queensland Cup was a big boost to our urge to want to win every single other game.

There were some tough games but I think everyone still put in 100% effort. It was another experience for me which was great and I enjoyed being able to play in the team again and I am so proud of all the girls for what they achieved in Cairns!

We will see all you Brisbane teams soon!

GO CLAWS!

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Well playing so far away from home couldn’t stop the Claws from doing anything! Winning the North Queensland Cup was a big boost to our urge to want to win every single other game. There were some tough games but I think everyone still put in 100% effort. It was another experience for me which [...]

I have to say I think it was an awesome experience. Playing with all these girls has given me so much more confidence and they were all so encouraging and made my first Claws trip a great one. I learnt so much over the weekend from Barb, the team, the other teams and myself.

Everyone played great as a team and by themselves considering there were 4 new players and we all had to get used to each other in a game situation.

In the third quarter of our first game I was nervous but excited and I think both of those came in and I didn’t play at the best that I could have. During and after my first quarter I got great feedback and encouragement from the team, and Barb and I was determined to go out in the next quater with confidence and try my hardest against the team we were playing.

Over the whole weekend I played a lot of strong defenders and it made me realise how hard I really have to work to be in this team and work for the next weekend away.

I hope that the next weekend will be just as great or even better!

GO CLAWS! REOWWW!

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I have to say I think it was an awesome experience. Playing with all these girls has given me so much more confidence and they were all so encouraging and made my first Claws trip a great one. I learnt so much over the weekend from Barb, the team, the other teams and myself. Everyone [...]

That is how Round 1 started for me…

Thursday evening I received the call from Carol (our awesome manager) who was stating the words “You are not going to like what I have to tell you.” I can just imagine the thoughts/conversation prior to this call around the subject of ‘Why do I have to tell her?’ I can be a little vocal when things don’t go my way. What Carol had to tell me was not so bad for me, as the initial thoughts that had crossed my mind were of me being dropped for the weekend. A last minute change in the game day and time meant that I was going to still be in the air when our game started, due to my need to have a later flight to the rest of the team. Lucky, they were all booked on an earlier one.

Garry (Claws’ support crew, camera man & breakfast chef) and I made it to the State Netball Centre just in time to watch the last quarter. It was rough to watch knowing that I should have been there helping them out. Even though we got a bit of a touch up Friday night, I was confident in the glimpses of brilliance I saw from all girls on the court, during that final quarter, of what was to come the next day.

Saturday and Sunday bought many emotions. We, finally, had our first win against a Brisbane based team and we were pumped. We had worked together as a team and our defensive unit was absolutely outstanding. Unfortunately, we didn’t back up this wonderful achievement against the Sunshine Coast the next day. We did walk away knowing we were capable of so much more and have all individually recognised where we can improve our own games and contribute more the team performance.

I am so excited to be a small part of such a wonderful organisation. I am also very grateful for the support from the Central Queensland (Capricorn) community, especially those businesses who have come on board to sponsor “The Claws”. You can’t realise what this support does for our entire group, but your confidence in us increases the confidence we have in ourselves. We will do you proud.

Bring on Cairns!

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That is how Round 1 started for me… Thursday evening I received the call from Carol (our awesome manager) who was stating the words “You are not going to like what I have to tell you.” I can just imagine the thoughts/conversation prior to this call around the subject of ‘Why do I have to [...]

Well what can I say! I’ve been playing in this regions squad for around 7 years or so and finally we have done it! We won against a Brisbane team, and convincingly.

I’m so blessed to have played along side so many talented players, some who have gone on to do bigger and better things, and some who are still by my side today. And I know all those teammates, past and present, would be happy to see how far the Capricornia Region team has come. From playing a small 5 northern team competition, which included the under 17’s teams too, to now having an Open Team squad competition that the under 17’s can now strive for or, in some cases – Claudia, Shanita & Poppy, play. The competition not only now includes the northern teams but also is put in with the competitions of the southern Brisbane teams. This is something we have always wanted and Netball Queensland and all the regions involvement has now provided. So in saying this, the past weekend would have to be one of my highlights as we have finally shown what our regional “rural town people” can do.

I see much potential in this years’ Claws Squad. On our first weekend away there were moments of brilliance on court and moments that were not true to what we have to offer. Hopefully we can clear the bad bits and have games of perfection. I know we have it in us.

Our one win of the weekend was obviously a highlight although we all know there were still some improvements to be made from that game. I believe the only way is up and if we want it bad enough we can eliminate our weaknesses and make it happen.

On a lighter note, I’d like to thank some people, as they have made me eager for the weekends to come.

Our Coach Barb for all her guidance on the weekend. It’s one thing to have someone tell you that you are playing good or bad, but it’s more beneficial when someone directs you on how you can improve your game. This is what Barb offers as a coach and with Barb there are no limitations.

Thanks to our manager and our support team! We would surely full apart without you! How great were our supporters! Can’t believe my family surprised me and turned up to watch the games!! I will never be too old to want my parents at a game watching from the sideline! I was so excited to see them there! Shout out to the Hopkins, Anderson, James, Saunders and Larson crews!!

This year our Captains have taken their leadership to the next level. I have never seen such dedication to the team and for this I thank you.

It was a great weekend and I look forward to seeing us excel.

Signing Off…Hoppy (with a H not a P)

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Well what can I say! I’ve been playing in this regions squad for around 7 years or so and finally we have done it! We won against a Brisbane team, and convincingly. I’m so blessed to have played along side so many talented players, some who have gone on to do bigger and better things, [...]

Well, what a weekend of high’s and low’s to kick off our 2010 campaign. I look back at it now and feel a bunch of mixed emotions. Our win against the Lions was definitely the highlight of the weekend as the Claws had never before knocked off a Brisbane based team. It was even better knowing that we can really turn it on. In the third quarter of that game, we started down by 3 goals. By the end of the quarter we were 10 goals up! Everything just seems to click with the ball flowing with ease down the court. Our defence were on fire and our shooters were converting from all areas of the circle. It just seemed so easy. That for me is evidence that we can play top quality netball and I guess also evidence that we didn’t play as consistently as we could have. If we had have played all games like we did that 3^rd quarter against Lions, we would have potentially come home with 3 wins. In this team however we do not focus on the negatives and what went wrong, we instead focus on the positives and what we got right and what we can build on.

I have no doubt in my mind that we have the ability, determination and desire to make the top 6 and that next time we face the Cougars or Lynx that the scoreboard will be very different. I know that we can beat these teams and hold our own against the best in the state, we have proven that, we now just need to produce our best netball to give ourselves every opportunity to do so. We are stronger and fitter and far more experienced this time around, so bring on Cairns…

A word of warning to all NQ Teams – The CLAWS ARE OUT!

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Well, what a weekend of high’s and low’s to kick off our 2010 campaign. I look back at it now and feel a bunch of mixed emotions. Our win against the Lions was definitely the highlight of the weekend as the Claws had never before knocked off a Brisbane based team. It was even better [...]

Well one weekend down and two more to go.

The weekend’s matches brought mixed emotions, with one win and two losses, but the score lines did not reflect on the way we played. Having been beaten by 35 goals on Friday and 20 goals on Sunday it certainly didn’t look or feel like it was a pasting on the court.

We have a lot to work on for the next round of matches in Cairns on the last weekend of this month, but we know that WE CAN and WILL perform a lot better and there is only one way to go – and that is UP.

We had some great support from the girls on the bench and players’ family and friends that came to support us. Hoppy got a nice surprise with her family including Bowlsey driving to Brisbane from Rocky to witness our great win on Saturday. So thank you to all of you that travelled to cheer us on.

For the first time this year we also have a Physio that will be travelling with us and I know myself personally I am very grateful for her as she kept my back in working order after Friday night’s match so thank you to Katherine.

To my roomies well they were a very rowdy bunch and Danielle well what can I say she does not stop talking!!!!

Last but not least bring on Cairns and bring on our next two weeks training sessions.

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Well one weekend down and two more to go. The weekend’s matches brought mixed emotions, with one win and two losses, but the score lines did not reflect on the way we played. Having been beaten by 35 goals on Friday and 20 goals on Sunday it certainly didn’t look or feel like it was [...]

What a way to start a weekend, with all the team arriving on different flights, and bringing our first game forward from Saturday morning to Friday evening – a Manager’s nightmare, however, we triumphed and managed to get the team on the court in time on Friday evening.

The weekend went well with everyone pitching in – Amanda, Garry and Barb as our chauffeurs for the weekend and Garry our breakfast cook, couldn’t have asked for more. However, more we did get with the win against Lions on Saturday.

Now in planning for our next weekend in Cairns on 29 & 30 May, and hoping that the new uniforms will be available for this weekend.

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What a way to start a weekend, with all the team arriving on different flights, and bringing our first game forward from Saturday morning to Friday evening – a Manager’s nightmare, however, we triumphed and managed to get the team on the court in time on Friday evening. The weekend went well with everyone pitching [...]

Well, our campaign is now underway! With less than an ideal preparation leading into our first game, we knew we were going to have a really tough match ahead of us. The Cougars are all class and we knew we would be pushed to our extreme.

The game was really tough with a lot of big contests between players. Although we didn’t win, there were some real positives to take from it. Danny and Keanna played absolute blinders in the defensive circle while our youngster Poppy also did a great job in our attacking end.

Although the score might have looked a little like a blow out, we needed to break it down and realised that the difference between us and the Cougars last night was only 4 turnovers each quarter and that’s the beauty of the game.

Personally, I feel as though we will come out firing today against the Lions, another strong and well round Brisbane team. We have all had some good rest so our preparation will be much better leading up to the clash this afternoon.

The Claws are out!

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Well, our campaign is now underway! With less than an ideal preparation leading into our first game, we knew we were going to have a really tough match ahead of us. The Cougars are all class and we knew we would be pushed to our extreme. The game was really tough with a lot of [...]