Celebrating 15 years of Back to Netball

Back to Netball has been England Netball’s flagship programme for 15 years now and it is showing no signs of letting up.

It is England Netball’s purpose to lead a movement on and beyond the court, with an unapologetic focus on women and girls, helping make netball a sport where everyone can belong, flourish and soar, and Back to Netball is a key programme through which this is achieved.

​Helping to ensure that netball truly is a game for life, Back to Netball creates a capsule of time and space for those juggling the demands of education, career, family, house, home, and all the rest.

Because time is the very essence, Back to Netball is rooted in local communities, meaning the commute is minimal and netballers are in the neighbourhood.

​As England Netball’s flagship programme, Back to Netball is more than just 60 minutes of activity on court. It comes with lots of hidden extras – building belonging, friendship, community and movement into your week, helping you rebuild your you. It comes without demand or commitment, offering a warm welcome to people new to, and coming back to the game. And with NETBALLHer weaved into the programme, we’re here for you through every life stage.

Nicola and Louise’s stories

Among our increasingly busy lives, Back to Netball offers an hour of ‘me-time’ for women across the country, women like Nicola Parker and Louise Spear, who have both been inspired to fit netball into their lives through attending Back to Netball.

NICOLA

How did you start going to Back to Netball? And how does it fit into your life now?

My daughter has played netball for a club since she was nine and last September they advertised a Back to Netball session. Me and a friend went along – I hadn’t played since school and I’m now 44! And after about six weeks I was asked if I would consider playing for a club. That was a year ago and I am now captain of that team. I have sat my Level 1 and now coach across school years five to 10, three times a week, as well as doing my own training and games. I run my own business, working full-time with two teenage children but I manage to fit netball around this – it’s amazing what you can do when you want to!

What does netball mean to you and how do you benefit from attending?

Netball means so much to me as it has allowed me to get in better shape. I have also connected with so many new people and made a lot of new friends. I love coaching the younger girls who are just starting to learn about the sport and watching their skills and passion for netball grow – I find that very rewarding. I also love spending time with my daughter, both doing something we enjoy.

What would you say to encourage others to attend Back to Netball?

I would say just go for it! At Back to Netball groups there is such a variety of ages, experience and skills but everyone is made to feel welcome with endless possibilities once you start like local teams, social leagues and Walking Netball. And it’s far more enjoyable and social than a session in the gym!

LOUISE

Louise moved to Devon just before the first lockdown in 2020 so didn’t have much chance to make friends as her job suddenly went from office-based to remote. Being away from family somewhere new, she really struggled with loneliness and her mental health suffered. Finding her local Back to Netball session was just what she needed – now she has made friends and is able to get out and be social whilst also being active.

Back to Netball is the highlight of her week and the benefits of the sport on her mental health have inspired her to think about a career change to working in sport so that she can help more people feel the benefits of being active.

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GET INVOLVED
Why not give Back to Netball a go yourself? Or encourage friends to go to a session – find your nearest session now.

Or you can sign up as a Community Coach or even become a partner to deliver Back to Netball in your community. For more information, please contact your local Netball Development Officer or email CommunityCoaches@englandnetball.co.uk