Coach conducts netball tour

Wright worked closely with athletes from the North Coast Academy of Sport, including NSWIS scholarship holders Kathryn Ainworth (East Ballina) and Lauren Berger (Yamba) to help enhance their netball skills and knowledge.

NSWIS Sprites' Zara Francisco (Nambucca Heads), Melissa Bowley (Port Macquarie) and Makara Jacky (Goonellabah) also benefited from Wright's advice that will cover general skill sessions and specialist sessions with the shooters, mid-courters and defenders.

The Sprites' program is a joint

initiative between NSWIS and Netball NSW to assist regional pre-elite

netballers who demonstrate the talent and potential to develop into NSWIS level athletes.

Wright arrived in Port Macquarie on the weekend to conduct individual, group and squad sessions with NSWIS Sprites' Francisco and Bowley at the Hastings Valley Netball Association's Macquarie Park courts.

He then attended a Coffs Harbour training day on indoor courts to assist NSWIS netballers Ainsworth and Berger and NSWIS Sprites' Francisco, Bowley and Jacky.

During the last two days of the tour, Wright also visited Ballina Netball Association to work with Ainsworth and Berger and other selected players from the North Coast Academy of Sport.

"The NSWIS Regional Netball

program plays an important role in the future of netball," Wright said.

"Such a program ensures the

development of talented regionally based athletes by providing them with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitude that is vital for success as an elite netballer."

The NSWIS Regional Program has been established through an $843,000 grant from the State Government and delivers NSWIS' services to the doorsteps of its 180 regional athletes. The program is the first of its kind to offer comprehensive coverage of an entire state by a sports institute.

The NSW Institute of Sport is the state's elite sports agency. It serves to improve NSW representation on national teams and to assist athletes to achieve international success.