A retired school teacher in Stockport says England Netball’s innovative walking netball sessions got her fit and ready to fire after the lockdown.
Nia Brodie, 67, discovered the accessible sessions after her husband Alan saw the group play six years ago after his running soccer practice.
And she hasn’t looked back since, lives and breathes netball and enjoys her visits to the field every week.
All ages and fitness levels can take part in walking netball and Brodie, one of over three million British women who play netball every year, said, “I think how many women my age played netball in secondary school.
“But I didn’t particularly like it back then because there was a fine grain on the surface. So if you fell, your hands would burn and your knees would all be grazed.
“But fast forward for my adult life, it’s a big part of my life. It’s absolutely wonderful. I’ve met some really great people.
“It’s a diverse spectrum of people – we’re like this soap commercial with women of all shapes and sizes! We are a great bunch.
Nia and Co stayed fit during the lockdown and trained twice a week on the local basketball court
“It’s great to be part of a group. When I play it feels nice and fluid, and when you have a good gameplay and you meet someone, it’s a great feeling. Being part of a team is great too.
“It also scratches my competition side. I think women of a certain age have always been encouraged to be less competitive and more forgiving, and now it’s great to have that opportunity. ”
New research shows that nearly nine in ten (88 percent) members of the netball family say the sport gives them a sense of belonging, with 73 percent saying it makes them feel empowered.
Retired elementary school teacher Brodie plays for Stockport Sapphires under the direction of trainer Eliza, who are based outside of Manchester.
Brodie was an integral part of the group as they stayed active in lockdown, adding, “In the summer of 2020, half a dozen of us met in a garden and said how we really want to come back. And I thought, ‘Where can we find a tire?’
“Luckily we found out there was a local basketball court and figured that the young people would be out mostly in the afternoons, but we could do the mornings.
“We were there twice a week. Everyone stayed in a group of six and we split in opposite directions.
“When it dropped to two we split into pairs and some people went out to do the exercises. We really followed the rules. Everyone brought their own ball and hand sanitizer. It just went on as we were allowed to.
“We moved to our new venue, a brand new sports hall, since last week.
“I’m pretty competitive so it’s great when we can play tournaments. Laughing with people is so nice too. We have little socials that are really fun.
“We had a Christmas dinner this year, but in the end it was just bacon from a delivery truck! But as a team we made it anyway. ”
For more information on participating in participation programs such as Walking Netball or Back to Netball, please contact your regional Netball Development Officer (NDO). There is something for everyone, no matter your age or skill level – click here to find the best contact for you: https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/support/regions/
