Walking netball initiative aims to attract more onto the court

Walking netball initiative aims to attract more onto the court

But a new version of netball has arrived in Jersey aimed at bridging the gap for players who may not want to, or be able to, take part in a full game of the fast-paced sport.

Walking netball has been introduced to the Island by the Jersey Netball Association as part of a scheme running across the UK by England Netball.

And now women of all ages, abilities and fitness levels are being invited to give it a go.

‘The idea is that it is open to all, a league player could turn up as could someone who has not played the sport for 30 years,’ said Chrissy Bannerman, Jersey’s netball development officer.

‘We have had a couple of ladies take part who used to play netball but aren’t able to any more because of injuries and we have had a couple of people in their 70s come along.’

A walking version of football was brought to Jersey in November 2016 and proved so successful that in August last year the first ever walking football ‘Muratti’ was held at Springfield between Jersey and Guernsey.

The event was eventually won by Guernsey, whose 67-year-old goalkeeper was described as the stand-out player of the day.

Walking netball is the same as the traditional version but with some minor changes. Players are allowed to take an extra step after catching the ball, they get four seconds to pass instead of three, and one foot must be on the ground when the ball is caught to reduce the impact and stop running and jumping.

Mrs Bannerman said: ‘I actually find it much more fun than traditional netball. You laugh so much and the whole not being able to run thing really changes it.’

Ten local women took part in an England Netball training session last year to enable them to lead walking netball training sessions.

Initially the sport was played on a Wednesday but after people showed interest in being able to attend outside of working hours the decision was made to move to a weekend.

Sessions, which are open to all women over the age of 16, run every Sunday in the Gloucester Hall at Fort Regent between 10 am and 11 am. They cost £3 to attend, but the first is free, and tea and cake is served after.

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