The Voice of the Participant survey (VOP) is back. This is an important survey in Netball New Zealand’s (NNZ) calendar, as the survey helps Netball to gather information to understand the needs of our participants and how we can provide a better quality experience for our participants.
The last survey ran in 2019, taking a Covid hiatus in 2020, with around 3,500 respondents from all Netball Centres and satellites across Netball’s Zones completing the VOP survey, telling us what parents and participants think of their Netball Centre experiences.
Since the survey inception in 2016 to 2019, Netball has seen an increase in overall satisfaction of +7%. Netball has seen large increases in satisfaction across a range of areas, including the quality of coaches (+11%), and allowing me to fulfil my potential (+9%).
“VOP helps put the participant at the heart of our decision making,” NNZ Head of Community Ruth Stanley said.
“We want to understand how we can provide a great experience, and to do that we need to listen to our community. After not doing the survey in 2020, we are very interested to hear from our participants.”
Results from the 2019 survey highlighted five main areas for netball to focus on for improvement in participant satisfaction:
- Player development
- Quality of officiating
- Venues (courts)
- Facilities
- Quality of coaching
In response to these needs NNZ and its five regions have committed to provide programmes, training, and support to Centres to ensure ongoing development and high-quality delivery in the following areas:
Player Development – NNZ developed the Year 7&8 Player development programme. NNZ has implemented changes to the junior game, focusing on 5–12-year-olds. The changes involved age-appropriate formats (e.g., fewer players, modified rules) and an increased focus on fun.
Quality of Officiating – NNZ undertook a review of community umpiring and developed the Community Umpiring Strategy 2018 – 2020.
Quality of Coaching – Ongoing implementation of the Community Coach Development strategy has seen a 5% increase in satisfaction by participants. This is a tribute to the ongoing commitment and support of regions and Netball Centres to provide high quality support systems and development opportunities across coaching.
NNZ would also like to acknowledge the commitment of Centres to support and deliver these programmes to our participants across the netball system.
“We love our game, and we want all netballers to be able to have a lifelong love of and involvement in netball,” Stanley said.
“I ask all players, and parents of our younger players, to complete this survey. 15 minutes gives Centres, Zones and NNZ a wealth of knowledge to keep improving our game and the participant experience.”
CLICK HERE to complete the VOP 2021