Walking netball proves ahit

Zoe Askew

WHETHER you’ve gotthe knees of someonedouble your age or are searching to try something new, walking netball might just be the sport for you. Bad knees, ankles, hips or backs, common ailments amongplayers, won’tstopSale’snewest sporting group from enjoying the game they have grown with and love; owing to aminor modification -you can’t run.

Initiatedand ledbySaleNetball Association (SNA) president Pam Sellings, walking netball, a sport that has proven popular across the country in recentyears, has madeits waytoSaleand, after two successfultrial sessionsatthe end of last year, is here to stay.

“The life members and some of the really active members of our association really gave us the idea,” Sellings said.

“It’s aprogram that Netball Victoria developed; it just means thatthesepeople who love netball can umpire and play again where [in astandard game] they physically may not be able to anymore.” Walking netball offers numerous benefits for players, many returning to the field after alengthy absence, including social, physical,and mental health benefits; it is also achancefor former netball umpires to return to agamethey love.

Having been forced to stop umpiring due to injury, former AGrade netball umpire andthe highest qualified netball umpire in the Wellington Shire region,Rosemary Johnston,SNA umpire/ coordinator,dusted off her whistle,returningto the court for the first official SNA walking netball gameonWednesday at the Gippsland Regional Sporting Complex.

“It is just fantastic,” Johnston exclaimed.

“For someone like me, having had two knee reconstructions, getting back out there and being apartofthe game is just amazing.”

The clock read 1.40pm when Johnston blew her whistle to start the inaugural SNA walking netball game; the game was abundant with smiles and laughter, joyfulsoundsreverberating within the white walls of the GRSC.

As the game’s final quarter played out, Sale local participantMajella Campbelltook her well-earned rest on the sideline.

“There were acouple of [trial] sessions last year; Iloved it,it’sbeen along time since Ihave been on the court, and whenthey said they were starting it up again, Ithought I’d give it ago,” Campbell said.

Campbell, like manyothers, finds not running the most challenging aspect of the game, understandable after years of playing competitive netball, running for every ball as if your life depended on it.

“The social aspect [is the best thing];it’sjust, it’s good fun, it’s really good fun,” Campbell said.

“I used to play and umpire along, long time ago, and thereare peoplehere who I’ve never met before, people that Ihaveknown for along time; it’s just agood community thing.

“The association put it on for us, and we are all just loving it.”

Maffra local Dot Rowley is another walking netball player, praising the inception of the new iteration of the state’s much-loved sport.

“For me, the best thing is just getting out and doing exercise that’s not feeling like you’re exercising,” Rowley said.

“I playednetballand have been involved in netball for 50 more years, so Ijust love it anyway, and now I’ve met up again withladies that Iplayed against when we were in our 40s.

“This is just awesome, likefor those who can’t play because of their physical [restrictions], they can just come and do this and have fun.

“It really is awesome; now, Wednesday afternoon is mine,” Rowley declared.

“AsmuchasI love being able to pick up the kids, Wednesday afternoon is mine; this is for me. I just love it.”

Fun. The word ‘fun’ frequently emerges in the player’sdescriptionofSNA’s newest program, which, according to Sale local Gemma Barned, is what netball should be.

“It’s just fun, which is what netball should be,” Barned said.

“It really is; it’sjust fun; youget alittlebit of exercise, no one gives as*** whether you miss, stuff it up or drop the ball, and there is absolutely no pressure.

“So it’s just; you get to meet people, and it really is; it’s just fun.

“Too many things aren’t done for fun anymore, and that’s what Ilove about it.”

In collaboration withthe GippslandRegional Sporting Complex, Sale Netball Association will host five walking netball games per school term.

“It will be on Wednesdays at 1.30pm, but it’s not going to be every week; we will be advertising [sessions] as we go,” Sellings said.

For information about walking netball and upcoming sessions, head to the Sale Netball Association’sFacebook Page -https://www. facebook.com/SaleNetballAssociation -oremail salenetball@gmail.com.