End of Season Do!
31st May 2009

Well, the sun certainly shined this year! Although our stunning bunch of players all came dressed to impress they were also sensible enough to bring bikinis and get in the pool when the food and presentations were over. Although the pool volleyball and wrestling through the inflatable hoop were hilarious for the spectators, it seemed like hard work for the players in the pool... particularly those who were committed to keeping their hair dry!

The day saw a fabulous spread of food organised by the senior squad and staff. One personal favourite has to be the purple chocolate cake and purple icing (thanks to Naida's Mum). This was followed by some very serious catching up with Mavericks past and present, and playing with their offspring. The Mavericks Youth presentation was first with Jo Munnion at the front talking very quickly (as normal). Although the end result in the league table was not as impressive as last year it was clear from the presentation that the coaches and staff are very proud of how the Mavericks Youth squad developed and gradually realised their potential as a squad by the end of the season. The players worked really hard as there were definite ups and downs but they kept going and striving to be better. There are some fantastic players in this group that promise to be around for the next 10 years and not just a season or two...

Coaches Player - Marina Mensah-Afoakwah (staff award). Marina has been super positive and hard working with a really positive attitude she has thrown herself at every task and been a great squad member.
Most Improved - Alice Ewer, (staff award). Alice has worked extremely hard all season to improve her play and was rewarded for her hard work when she gained a place in teh England U19 squad (long).
Hardest Worker - Steph Collard (players vote). Steph took to roleof Captain more than any other player this season and showed her determined attitude in training and matches by always giving her best.
Players Player - Shaunagh Craig (players vote). Shaunagh was the outright winner of this award as she was been exemplory on and off the court throughout the season. She has worked hard and improved her own game as well as always been supportive of others.
Squad Star - Loran Wyatt (players vote). Loran was unfortunate this season in that she had an injury which took a few months to fully recover. She had to go through a rehab programme and gradually get back on the court but she worked extremely hard and was always fully committed to the squad, even when she was not allowed to catch and throw!

The Mavericks presentation was delivered by Head Coach Kendra Salwinski and after a glowing description of the season saying how the team had worked really hard to come together and show what they were capable of, the presentations began:

Captain - Karen Atkinson. For her amazing level of work leading from the front and also communicating with the coaches to provide a clear link between the squad and the staff, Karen was recognised for her fantastic captaincy.
Most Improved - Gemma Wiseman & Stef Bello. Gemma joked it had only taken three seasons to improve! However, Kendra explained how these two players had worked phenominally hard this season, applying the training to match play and showing great strides in developing their play.
- Ella Clark. For having such a storming season, (having never players NTL), Ella stepped straight into the senior arena this season and showed her stuff.
Coaches Player - Louisa Brownfield. Kendra described Lousia as a World Class Shooter with a calm and unphased manner on the court.
Players Player - Naida Hutchinson. This is the one award voted for by the players and shows how highly they regard Naida. She has certainly become a Maverick this season and showed her heart is thoroughly into the squad and their achievements.

The lovely thing about the Mavericks End of Season Do is that you have players, coaches, managers, table officials, Netball East Chair, photographer, sponsorship people, ticket sales, events manager, Jim Speilberg, Netball East Regional Manager, ball girls organiser (and cute baby), husbands, boyfriend, Mums and Dads as well as a few old girls... all chilling out and chatting, having fun. There is the chance to say thanks to everyone for making Mavericks so wonderful. It is great that everyone gets to mix and catch up as sometimes this cannot happen on match days!

As ever, Mavericks would not exist without the hard work and dedication of one person in particular... Gloria Keech. Her contribution is a phenominal number of hours and she makes things happen. THANKS GLORIA!

Photographs courtesy of Russ Wyatt & Kevin Jones (Mavericks Official Photographer)
Thanks guys! Fab job as ever...