Netball SA - Walk Up Walking Netball Starts 4 & 5 May 2022
What: Walk Up Walking Netball
Who: Netball SA
Venues, Days & Times:
The Lights Rec Centre
Wednesdays (Commencing May 4th)
10.30am – 11.30am
Noarlunga Rec Centre
Wednesdays (Commencing May 4th)
9.30am -10.30am
Netball SA Stadium (Mile End)
Thursdays (Commencing May 5th)
11am-1.15pm
How: $8 per session. Register for Mile End here, Lightsview here & Noarlunga here.
Netball SA runs weekly Walking Netball sessions and games, designed to encourage enthusiasts of the sport to get on the court but at their own pace in a friendly and comfortable environment. It also aims to help people be active and social. As Netball SA’s Developmental Coordinator Caitlin Sullivan puts it “Until people try it, they don’t realise how fun it is”.
It’s a relatively new program as it was launched in 2021 and had been “really successful at the Netball SA Stadium” according to Caitlin. “We run it Thursday mornings. Started off with a couple of free come and try sessions”. The program is also now running in two other places, The Lights Community Centre and the Noarlunga Rec Centre. She also mentioned “We moved into having some structured gameplay. Participants have made their own teams, team names, uniforms (wearing same coloured shirts)”. Referring to it being competition, “When I say competition, there’s no ladder or points and things like that. But we have umpires who come out to umpire”.
Caitlin talked about the rules of Walking Netball, “There’s an extra second to hold the ball. It keeps the game at a walking pace. Participants can take an extra step. We’ve found that traditional netball, you’re only allowed to take one step. That can be hard on the knees, ankles and hips with that impact. So it just lessens that impact and reduces the risk of trips and falls. Especially with older participants”. And of course, “obviously there’s no running and no jumping”. Also, there is a non-contact and rolling sub rule.
When asked about what attracts most participants to Walking Netball, the response was “Nostalgia, it brings them back to when they use to play netball”. “Some comments are ‘I haven’t played for 30 years & never thought I would be able to again’ and ‘I’m actually playing against someone that I use to play with 30 years ago’”. She also mentioned about a participant who had bursitis and struggled with her movement. The physical activity of Walking Netball helped improve her overall movement through exercise. “We’ve found that it’s good for agility, balance and strength”.
To register & find out more information about the Walking Netball program, visit the Netball SA website or contact Caitlin Sullivan through e-mail (caitlin.sullivan@netballsa.asn.au).
