NETBALLHer is everywhere

NETBALLHer is not a standalone programme to be considered in isolation, it is embedded into every game, every training session and every single interaction. Over the last year, England Netball has made a conscious effort to embed the power of NETBALLHer into every element of netball life.

For example, in the heart of Greater Manchester, the local Netball Development Community Coach (NDCC) and Netball Development Officer (NDO) have delivered some 80 programmes – with 46% of those in underserved communities and all of which have embedded NETBALLHer.

The NDCC said: “It was a bit of trial and error at first. There were some groups I knew it would be easy to just start talking about female health with, but there were others where I knew it would have to be managed carefully.

“For example, my Walking Netball groups have had a longer journey of this whole topic being taboo – it’s been embedded in their culture that we don’t talk about these things, so I knew I needed to approach those conversations with extra care.”

NETBALLHer themes have also been strategically woven into sessions, tailoring the approach based on what netball techniques are being focused on and the group dynamics.

“One week, I was working on a Back to Netball group’s jumping and landing techniques and I knew that it fitted in with the NETBALLHer theme of pelvic health and leaking,” she said. “So, we incorporated it right through from the warm-up, talking about jumping and landing, how you can do that safely and what issues might come up, such as leaking, as we moved into the main session.”

A participant echoed her coach’s views: “I had been attending Back to Netball for some years before NETBALLHer was a thing. The difference is the sense of community within the group has massively strengthened since. It’s knowing that we’re all in it together – we’ve either gone through it and can advise others or we’re about to go through it and can listen to each other’s experiences.

“I have created friendships with ladies who are 20 years old all because we have bonded over what I have been through with the menstrual cycle and what they’re going through now. We laugh and call it ‘the menstrual mentor hour’.”

Within the Greater Manchester Community Netball League, NETBALLHer Champions have also been appointed. They not only raise awareness of NETBALLHer but utilise a portable board with QR codes to various female health topics on the website so women can find out more at their discretion.

These NETBALLHer Champions directly address individual needs, such as providing information on menstrual cycles for younger players.

Proactively extending NETBALLHer’s reach beyond the court, seven women have even been inspired to influence their companies into funding ‘court short’ kits, fostering a supportive environment for female health needs in their workplaces.

The NDCC says: “The thing I hear most from participants when discussing NETBALLHer topics is the emphasis on not feeling alone when going through significant life stages. The words most women use are ‘now I know I’m not going mad’ or ‘thank goodness I’m not the only one’.”

Fancy becoming a NETBALLHer Champion and playing a key role in amplifying NETBALLHer even further? Complete this form to register your interest.

The NETBALLHer Learning OfferThe NETBALLHer Learning Offer

Created in partnership with The Well HQ, this is a free online resource designed to exclusively empower over 18 and secondary school group members with a comprehensive understanding of female health in netball. The NETBALLHer Learning Offer aims to take eligible members’ learning around female health one step further, teaching them how to practically enhance their own netball experiences during key life stages, as well as those of other women and girls.

You can access the NETBALLHer Learning Offer here.