The Netball Show
S7 Ep59: Chelsea Pitman (04th Sept 2024)
(upbeat music) Knackknackoff here, online at flyhork.com you can find the full range of their netball products including hoodies, leggings, netballs and so much more. There are even kit packages that suit everyone. They are available in UK sizes four to 24 and also in different lengths too. Plus we can even send you a sample pack for a returnable fee to try some of the range. Get yours now. - The netballs show with flyhork. Raising the bar for netball and winning sports. (upbeat music) - It's a netball show with flyhork. Let's see now from Chelsea Pittman. Chelsea, welcome to Nottingham and the first question I suppose is, why not for us to start that coaching journey? - I think when I got a text message from Karen Atkinson saying, "Hey, can we have a conversation?" I was like, yeah, okay. And then hearing about what Nottingham Forest is about, what they want to try and achieve the support network that they have to be able to help, I guess, myself go from being an athlete to a head coach as well as their vision. We're all things that I was like, I have to say yes to this opportunity because it's something that doesn't come around every single day and for it to be attached and aligned under such a amazing sporting banner is something that is exciting for myself. But also the sport of netball, I'm extremely passionate about my sport. So when I had that first interview and I remember signing off from it going, "Wow, this is something I want to be a part of." - You've had a decade plus in the game. Representing the roses, it's been part of the goal of the 2018 Commonwealth Games. You'd be hoping to bring some of that vast experience to that new role. - Yeah, no, definitely. I think the way my career progressed over the 19 years, I played for a few teams, saw success, also didn't see success and was under some great coaches. And I've been a part of a lot of high performance environment. So they are all experienced that I will definitely be pulling on for myself to be able to implement the best environment I possibly can create in a high performance sense, as well as a coaching sense when it comes to technical tactical stuff, when it comes to hitting the court. Everything is not about what we physically do and how strong and fit we get people. It's also about looking at an athlete as a person first and foremost and looking at the holistic side of it. So I want to be a coach that never forgets that and never forgets that they are people first, athletes second. - At the time of the announcement, one or two people were asking what experience you had in coaching. Would you mind just clearing that up for me, please? - Yeah, I'm sure a lot of people have that. And I'm not the first coach to be a player that then steps into a head coach and role and I definitely will not be the last. Throughout my whole career, I've done coaching, but when it's come to elite stuff, I have been doing that for the past few years, having the opportunity to coach within my own environment. And I've also done things in elite capacities away from my SSN stuff. And you know what, there's gonna be bits that I don't have any idea about. And that comes to admin. The coaching side of it, I have absolutely zero issues about being a head coach in that space. But it's the admin stuff that I'm gonna need some help with. And you know what, I would never have said yes to this job if I didn't think that I didn't have the capabilities. I'm someone who absolutely thrives in challenging situations. I love it. I in very much development and growth is something that is part of my core values that I always wanna be striving to and putting myself in that type of environment. So the admin side, some bits I know I'm probably not gonna like, but you know what? I want to learn everything. And I wanna learn quickly, but I wanna be able to, I guess, be great at everything or really good at it from the start. But I also am very much aware that I'm not going to be. So the coaching stuff I have zero issues with. And yeah, like I said, it's gonna be the admin side. And also managing as an athlete, I manage myself as well as filtering into that. As a coach, I'm gonna have to make sure that I'm looking after everyone and their specific needs, as well as working towards a common goal, AKA winning the premiership. - And it's all about forest, the brand, isn't it? Male and female football sides, netball, one club, that's gonna be important. - Yeah, no, definitely. And I think that's what's so wonderful is not just in forest, hasn't just said, you can have our symbol on your netball dresses, and that's as far as it goes. They're definitely wanting to be 100% part of this whole journey and see netball succeed and see netball grow within Nottinghamshire. I think it's something really exciting and wonderful for our sport. That they're not just saying it to say it. They're definitely, is it, they're saying they're talking to talk and they're walking the walk. So I think it's fantastic that they want to be involved in every aspect of it. - Tell me a bit more about the selection process, as opposed to the first not forest netball team. What was that like? - Yeah, well recruitment was such an interesting time, just because obviously being on the other side of it, I really enjoyed it, even though it was a little bit stressful. I think for us, I'm really excited about the team, and I can't wait for everyone to get excited with me. And I think we have such a great mix of girls that are unique. There's a lot of depth there, and we're gonna put together an exciting brand of netball. And I just can't wait to, when the time's right, and we're able to announce that, because that's really special also for those athletes that have been able to secure a spot in the 10, as well as be part of this journey with being able to call themselves, not in forest players. So I can't wait to get that out, and also them to feel that excitement and people to get around this team and those players. - The game will be turning pro here in the UK. You've played at SSN level. So I suppose, do you think something like this has been needed in the UK for some time? - I think netball has needed something to change, to head towards the progression to be professional, because I think we, like the roses, you've seen so much success, and then you saw the hype around netball and people, the participation rates rising, but then we weren't seeing a change at the top end for us to then look at our league becoming more professional. And it's no secret that SSN, some kind of super netball, is the number one league in the world. There's such an opportunity for NSL to be a home and destination for netballers, to want to get into, and it not be just a gap year for certain netballers. We want it to be people that are like, oh my gosh, it's so hard to get into the NSL. If I get the opportunity, I want to be part of that for years. So that's something that's gonna take time to breed, but with the eight teams, tenor squad, that's already making it for you to call yourself for NSL netballer, you are an elite netballer, and you are extremely gifted to be able to say that. - At the end of season one, for not for a netball, what do you hope to achieve? - Season one, I'd be lying if I said not to win, we want to win, but I want the journey along the way to be, like it's growth, it's development, it's fun, it's laughter, overall enjoyment, and anyone that's a part of it, whether you're staff or players, you have seen growth in the most positive way, and you've learned a little bit about yourself, and it's been enjoyable because sport is a tough, tough place and space to be in sometimes, but if you can nail good culture and build the foundations from that, irrespective of wins or losses, even though we will be going for that title, that you look back and you reflect and go, I really enjoyed that season, I can't wait for the next one to start again. - Have you a message to fans ahead of the season? - Jump on board, not in for us, netball, choo-choo train, I don't know if we'll call it a choo-choo train or work on that one, but jump on board, be part of the journey, it's extremely exciting. If you're not a netball fan, get to a game, get to our first live game at Moda Point Arena, and I promise you, you will fall in love with the sport, you'll fall in love with the team, and you'll be a netball fan for life. - Chelsea, for now, thank you so much for your time. - Thanks Andy. - The netball show is now also available via Sky HD, Sky Q, and Sky Glass. Select sport, and we're on the podcast trail. (logo whooshing)
Chelsea Pitman will lead Nottingham Forest Netball into their debut NSL season