After adopting the Netball Super League side ‘The London Mavericks’ as ‘our side’ last year following our visit to the Hertfordshire Sports Village last April to watch them take on Loughborough Lightening, the Tigers host London Mavericks star Emma Thacker last Friday, who popped down to our training session to see what tips she could get ;-)

Emma Thacker Comes To Bedford

What a privilege the weekend began on Friday 23rd January, where we welcomed one of Mavericks top shooters Emma Thacker to Bedford Athletics Stadium. As part of their community project Emma scheduled a training session for our year 7-8 girls, putting them through their paces! All 22 of our players got the chance to listen to Emmas words of advice and take part in some drills coached by the Mavs star.

Unsurprisingly all the girls were laser focused and honed in on every word … not always the case, week in week out, when our poor ‘non famous’ coaches pick up the whistle, let me tell you!
With time for photos and questions at the end to round up, what was a unique and enjoyable session for all. A few sparks were lit in the eyes of our young players that evening and I’m sure they will use this as inspiration to push them into pre-season training with extra gusto.

Tigers Youth Get Put Through Their Paces At The Home Of The Mavs

…. But we were not finished there! Our special relationship with London’s top side continued on the Saturday with a real intimate session for a group from our youth sides. A short trip down to Hertfordshire gave them the opportunity to be part of some of the pre-season opener, again with Emma Thacker and some of the training team. They were able to pit their netball skills against the professionals and run through some drills the Mavericks would do as part of their own training sessions. Smiles did not drop from the girls faces all day and was another excellent trip and a honour to be hosted by the Mav’s.

We hope this to be just the start of tapping into the experience, knowledge and skills of one of Netball Super Leagues top sides, with plans to run the sessions again for different age groups.

Mavs Vs Rhino Day Out Plans

To show our support plans are already in place to head back to the HSV over Easter where The London Mavericks are set to take on Leeds Rhinos.

With thanks to Emma and all the staff… you have really lit their fire and an inspiration to our girls. Keep up the good work!