ALLANSFORD'S Sophie Bellman knows just how important her mum's advice has been across her career in the Warrnambool and District league.
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The long-time Cat, who was set to captain the club's A grade side for the first time this season before the season was called off in June, said her mother Lindy was her biggest influence.
"She has had a massive impact on the player I am today," the 24-year-old said.
"She taught me everything I knew and she is always on the sidelines giving me tips and helping me."
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There is one bit of mother's advice which resonates with Bellman.
"She always tells me to back myself because if you don't back yourself you're not confident and little things creep in and you don't try as hard as you'd like," she said.
"If you aren't confident go to someone you have confidence in, such as a coach, and ask them 'what can I do better' and they usually can help you from there.
"But mum has always said to me to back yourself and ask questions if you feel like you are lacking or doing something wrong in a certain area and they will be able to help."
Bellman said she was over the moon when second-year mentor Bridget Foster asked her if she wanted to take on the captaincy this season.
"I didn't have it (captaining the side) in my mind but I hoped it would happen eventually so when Bridget asked me I said 'of course yes," she said.
"It was a good opportunity to help lead the team do their best so that we could get the best out of ourselves."
The midcourter was "shattered" she couldn't lead the Cats A grade side during a game at all this year due to the coronavirus forcing the WDFNL to cancel senior netball and football competitions in 2020.
"I was excited and we had a good team this year. It was going to be good fun and we were hoping for a step up but unfortunately it didn't get to go ahead," she said.
"Everyone wants to play but the safety of all players and officials is the most important thing. Everyone's health is important and we don't want to be doing anything that might affect that."
Bellman felt her leadership style is "pretty hands on and full of constructive feedback".
"I tell you what I see when you are doing well and when you're not," she said. "There is always little areas we can keeping improving. You want everyone to be improving, you want to be positive and give constructive advice.
"I'm not trying to be mean or negative as that pulls people down I just feel it's always a good way to get the best out of players."
Bellman said her and Foster were very similar.
"Bridget is amazing and she is also very positive and always going to have some constrictive feedback whether that is doing something new or training for a different position that's going to help the team," she said.
"She is a good leader to be learning from."
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