It was just as cold as it was sunny on a novel Sunday for the Northern Hawks, turning out for training for the first time in nearly three months.
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There was no hole in the Silverdome roof, rather than to embrace the Royal Park air.
After gearing up for the resumption of the State League season previously close to homes and via online Zoom meetings, the surrounds provided a further reality check.
"It was just a bit different," Northern Hawks co-coach Kellie Woolnough said.
"We had to ask all the girls prior to training to complete a google form, so we could make sure they ticked a box saying they are 100 per cent fit and well to train."
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
The seriousness of new accountability for sticking to training protocols was evident from an unwell and absent co-coach Ruth Tuohy.
The session was less about forming combinations on the court and more about adapting to a coronavirus reality.
"It was really about going through what the new netball world is going to be like," Woolnough said
"We sent out the girls at 1.5 metres away, we gave them a stretch and a sanitise, and we had a brief chat about how game days are going to look."
The session amid stage 2 restrictions was only allowed to last just 60 minutes that includes when all clubs are able to secure indoor venues.
Ball work has to be partnered at first before players can run the ball down the court and engage in contesting at the next stage in July.
"I said to the girls today they've been holding a ball for how many years so that part of it we can get back pretty quick," Woolnough said.
The coach felt her team "did extremely well" to adapt.
"It is clear that 2020 is going to be a different year, different way of doing things and I think we just all have to adapt. It's going to be whoever adapts the best," she said.
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Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
