Many of us will remember netball from school. For some those will be fond memories, for others, not so much.
The good news is that playing as an adult is a whole different ball game. We’re older, wiser and most likely a little bit kinder than in our teenage years, to ourselves as well as others. Netball is a game everyone can enjoy (and those blue gym knickers are no longer compulsory).
We caught up with netball-loving Nicola from Exeter-based Cowick Cats Netball Club to find out all you need to know about this brilliant sport.
Let’s start with the basics – what exactly is netball, Nicola?
“I like to think of netball as basketball’s rule-loving cousin!
Imagine a game where you can’t run with the ball, you’re not allowed to tackle, and everyone has their own little piece of the court like a dancefloor square at a school disco. That’s netball!
There are seven players per team, and everyone wears bibs with cryptic letters like GA, GD, C, and GS — which basically tell you what part of the court you’re allowed to rule over. If you’re a Goal Shooter (GS), you’re basically the VIP of the shooting circle — your job is to score all the points. If you’re Center (C), you’re the Energizer bunny who zooms everywhere (except the goal areas).
The rules are strict:
- You can’t move if you’re holding the ball (it’s a “catch, pass, then run” kind of vibe).
- You have 3 seconds to get rid of it — tick tock!
- You mark your opposition closely — it’s no longer considered a no-contact sport.
The aim? Pass the ball down the court like a well-oiled machine and shoot it into the hoop (with no backboard — accuracy matters, folks!).
It’s fast-paced, strategic, and has you feeling like part of a tactical squad that’s always one step ahead. Think dodgeball meets chess with a sprinkle of sass.”
How can netball help me?
It keeps you fit without feeling like a chore, in a standard 60-minute match you will be running, jumping, dodging and passing. Netball will improve your cardio, coordination and balance, strength, and hand eye coordination.
It boosts your brain-power – netball isn’t just about moving, you have to think – fast! Developing strategic thinking, quick decision making and your concentration and focus.
It teaches teamwork – You can’t win netball alone; you must trust your team and work together. You’ll learn communication skills, cooperation and how to win (and lose) gracefully.
It’s great for mental health– Playing netball can help reduce stress, boost your mood, and build confidence. Being a team sport, it also gives you a sense of belonging, opportunities to make lifelong friendships and in turn motivates you to keep active and have fun.
It teaches life skills- the skills you learn on the court transfer to life. For example, leadership, time management and resilience (bouncing back from setbacks).
In short, netball makes you fitter, sharper, more confident and a blast. Whether you are playing for fun, fitness or to win, it’s a game that gives back way more than just goals.
What would you tell someone who is nervous about trying netball?
“It’s totally normal to be a little nervous when trying anything new, netball is one of the most welcoming sports out there and CCNC embraces a family ethos. You don’t have to be sporty to start, everyone is learning, and you’ll pick things up quicker than you realise. We have teams to suit all ages and abilities, we offer the first two training sessions free so you don’t need to worry about committing until you‘ve decided if you like it or not. You are also not thrown straight into matches, training is weekly, split into teams or age groups and that’s where everyone learns how to play netball, works on their fitness and gets to know everyone. Our coaches are always on hand to support you and for our junior sections we follow a buddying system for new members.”
How fit do I need to be?
“You certainly don’t need to be fit to join CCNC. We have teams to support all abilities, so if you are new to sport or returning after some time, you would start gradually under the watchful eye of our qualified coaches. We also have performance/elite teams for those already accomplished in netball or with a strong fitness background. We currently don’t offer walking netball, but we will signpost you to where it is available locally.”
Do I need to have played netball before?
“Absolutely not! Our qualified coaches are there to train and support you from wherever your starting point is and there is no judgement. The only things we would recommend are comfortable clothing, a good pair of trainers with good foot and ankle support and a water bottle; and for our seniors, a supportive sports bra. When you decide you are completely happy to commit and become a member then there are club training tops that can be purchased and also match day kit dresses which you can wear with shorts or even leggings. The one item we do insist on once you start playing matches is netball specific trainers, they do not need to be an expensive brand, but netball specific trainers are made to give support to the foot and ankle, reduce slipping and to protect your joints from the impact of the jumping , running and twist/pivot movements during the game. We take injury prevention very seriously, which is why our training also focusses on strength and conditioning as well as netball skills.”
How can I get involved?
“To enquire about coming along to a free session and details of joining the club you just need to drop our club secretary an email on: cowickcatsnetballclub@gmail.com
If you would like to be part of the netball community but you aren’t sure about playing, we are always looking for coaches and umpires, as well as committee members and fundraising volunteers, we support our members to get their netball qualifications and always try to give back to the club to ensure it thrives for everyone.”
Well, we’re sold (and the cat-based name is a bonus). Thanks Nicola, we’ll start lacing up our trainers!