AUSTRALIAN netball legend Liz Ellis will be in Port Macquarie this week to help the next generation of young stars in the early stages of their careers.
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The former Australian captain and Sydney Swifts stalwart will run a coaching clinic at the Macquarie Park courts on Thursday to run through some essential drills for a host of young players.
All aspects of the game will be covered, from the foundation skills of passing, catching and footwork to positional play and on-court awareness.
Clinic participants will get plenty of match simulation drills as well and they will learn from the best in Ellis.
On Thursday, she'll pass on some knowledge from that wealth of experience to a group of lucky kids.
Ellis prefers to coach the kids from the country.
"I think the country kids are a bit nicer," she said.
The aim for Ellis is to get out into the country areas and show the girls that if they had the skills and they were willing to put in the hard yards, they could match it with their metropolitan cousins. Ellis aims to give participants a fun, safe environment to learn in, with emphasis on the fun.
With 122 tests appearances, Ellis is the most capped Australian player of all time.
Ellis said that achievement hit home upon her retirement in 2007.
"It wasn't until I retired that I realised the significance of that fact," she said.
She also holds the record for the most Commonwealth Bank Trophy matches 173. The trophy was the forerunner to the ANZ Championship.
Her packed trophy cabinet contains two Commonwealth gold medals.
Ellis rates the 2002 games win over New Zealand in double extra time as one of the finest achievements in her long career.
Most memorable though is the friends she has made off the court.
Ellis said that no matter what level a player competes at, the friendships are the most cherished memory.
That's not to say she isn't stoked about her career on the court.
"I'm really proud of what I have been able to achieve," Ellis said.
Thursday's clinic kicks off at 9am. To register, phone Ellis's sister Kath on 0421 323 901.
You can also email kath@lizellis.com.au
n Read more about Liz Ellis in Wednesday's Port News