Harriet Baxter joins the Elite Netball Academy coaching team as we expand our netball training services into the North East. Our High-Performance Centre netball classes will start in October 2022 at Teesside High School and will be led by Harriet. They will follow the same model and programme as our successful High-Performance Centre Classes in West Yorkshire. We can’t wait to bring our knowledge and expertise to netballers in the North East.
High-Performance Centre classes are not to replace your netball club, they will supplement your club/school training by having a programme that focuses on four pillars to help you get the most out of your club/school matches: physical, performance, tactical and psychological.
Let’s get to know netball coach Harriet:
What’s your favourite thing about netball coaching:
My favourite thing about netball coaching is providing an environment where any girl can progress and achieve. It’s not just about netball for me. As a coach it is watching athletes build on their strengths, grow in confidence and most importantly build self-belief.
Where do you get your netball coaching inspiration from?
My inspiration comes mainly from my own coaches, as a player I have been incredibly lucky to work with some of the best netball coaches in England (including Elite’s Anna Carter!). Being able to reflect back on how they coached and worked with athletes has helped me to form my own coaching philosophy.
What attracted you to being a netball coach at Elite netball academy?
From the very first conversation with Anna about Elite Netball Academy, I was convinced that the programme was something I had to be involved with. I have coached at club level and in the England Netball Pathway and to have the vision of Elite, sitting as the bridge between the two, is something that will help netballers progress. To have a programme where athletes can develop as individuals and to be able to take these skills back into their club or pathway environment is really exciting for me to be a part of!
Do you still play netball? Tell us about your clubs/position
I do and play at GA and GS, sometimes I also pull on the GD bib!
I have just made the decision to begin playing netball again, I am really excited to be back on the court, after taking some time out when covid hit.
Prior to this, I was in Manchester Thunder NPL Squad 2009 – 11 and Team Northumbria Superleague Squad 2012-13. More recently I played for Grangetown in Prem 1 and Prem 2 between 2017 – 20.
I have always coached alongside my playing career. Most notably I was North Durham County Academy U18 Head Coach and Grangetown U16 Assistant Coach. Currently, I am also coaching on the North East Pathway, as the U17 NPL Assistant Coach and the PDP Head Coach, and previously the North East U15 Assistant Coach.
What netball coaching qualifications do you have?
I am a UKCC Level 2 Netball Coach and have been since 2013. I also have a First Class Degree in Sports Coaching from Northumbria University and am a qualified PE Teacher (although I am now a Maths Teacher and Head of PSHE!)
I have coached a wide range of athletes throughout my time as a Level 2 netball coach including U11 right through to Back to Netball and for the past five years, my main focus has been coaching at a performance level.
I look forward to meeting lots of you soon!