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2009 Netball Year-End Report

submitted by: Moreen Logsdon (Nashville, TN)

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The Nashville Kangaroos Netballers started the 2009 season with ambitious goals and high hopes. Now that the year is over, it is appropriate to take stock of what was accomplished, and assess what remains to be done. The mission of the netball team is to develop and grow Netball in Nashville with an emphasis on participation, individual progress, team unity, and good health. Here is a look at how we did.

Networking:
Strategy: Our strategy for achieving this objective was primarily word of mouth, followed closely by the use of social media (Facebook, the Roo website, etc.)
Result: The number of paid memberships this year grew to 11 while the number of social participants (a new category) added another 10 netball members, and our netball email list has 30 total members. We also have been posting our game notices and results and activities on Facebook and generating a lot of traffic to our team.
Advertising:
Strategy: Our strategy for achieving this objective was to leverage community events.
Result: Our best outcome here was our participation in the Tennessee State Fair's Festival of the Nations in September, with other appearances at our two schools programs, the West End Middle School Festival of Nations and a Australian Christmans Experience at Sylvan Park Elementary.
More Games:
Strategy: Our strategy for achieving this objective was... pretty simple, play more games.
Result: We played a Winter and a Summer season of 7 games each, more than we have played before. We did go to one tournament (of the two that were planned) and tood third place at AGAPE in Atlanta this summer.
Youth Program:
Strategy: Our strategy for achieving this objective was to find a school where we could establish a P.E. or after school program.
Result: So far we have not been able to find the right match, although we did talk with three different schools.
Fund Raising:
Strategy: Our strategy for achieving this objective was to participate in the Club fund raising events like the golf tournament and the silent auction.
Result: Due to some scheduling barriers, we fell short of our goals this year, but with our growing membership, we are planning now for 2010.
Social Events:
Strategy: Our strategy for achieving this objective was... pretty simple, have more social events.
Result: During the summer league, players and supporters stayed after the game (similar to the football team's post-games). We also held to pot luck dinners to increase team camaraderie. Going into 2010, we are an Events Director position to increase this aspect of the team.

Conclusion
With some of the strategies either not initiated or not fully achieved, Nashville Kangaroos Netball needs to make a concerted effort to not just set 2010 goals, but to follow through and achieve them. One of the biggest hurdles in 2009 was the lack of a centralized and established venue. The summer league, playing in Elmington Park, found itself fighting for space on tennis courts and moved to the softball diamond. While this was workable and got some good visibility for the team and club, it was not conducive to growing the sport. Finding a more permanent venue (or two) is our number one focus moving into 2010 and will allow us to move forward on growing membership.

So, a pretty good year overall, with growth of the players, supporters, and events surrounding netball. As we head into 2010, the team has elected its Executive Board to develop the 2010 Goals and to make 2010 the best ever for Nashville Kangaroos Netball.

See you at a game next year!