Netball has been inspiring women and girls for generations. From school courts to community leagues and walking netball sessions, it’s a sport that brings people together, builds confidence and creates opportunities to stay active at every stage of life. Whether you’re picking up a ball for the first time, returning to the game after a break, or looking for a new way to move more, netball offers something for everybody.
As one of the most popular team sports for women in England, netball continues to empower players of all ages. It provides an inclusive space where women and girls can develop skills, build friendships and enjoy being active in a supportive environment. England Netball’s work through NETBALLHer also highlights the importance of understanding female health and wellbeing, helping more women stay involved in sport throughout different life stages.
For many women, netball is about much more than competition. It’s about belonging. It’s about finding a place where you can be yourself, challenge yourself and connect with others who share your interests. The growth of programmes such as Back to Netball and Walking Netball has made the sport more accessible than ever, helping women return to activity in a way that feels enjoyable and welcoming.
Netball is a fast-paced game that challenges both body and mind. Regular participation can improve cardiovascular fitness, build muscle strength and stamina, increase flexibility, develop coordination and improve reaction times. It also supports balance, agility and overall physical fitness through dynamic movements and changes of direction.
But the benefits don’t stop there.
One of the biggest strengths of team sport is the social side. Playing alongside others creates a sense of belonging and community that can be difficult to find elsewhere. Team sports encourage communication, teamwork and mutual support, while helping people develop confidence and resilience. Many players say that netball doesn’t even feel like exercise because they’re so focused on enjoying the game and spending time with others.
“The social side of netball is second to none. Some exercise punctuated with lots of laughter. Great bunch of women and some fine coaching too. I love the netball festivals and inclusion of the paranetball teams in these is brilliant and epitomises what the sport is all about.” – Fiona
“I love ball sports and have played netball throughout school, winning the league every year. It’s a great exercise, great fun, keeps you active, the social side is great too. Since I joined, I have met some lovely people” – Anonymous Netball Player
“Netball creates a space where everyone is welcomed, supported, and encouraged to be themselves. It is amazing to watch friendships grow, confidence being built and connections being developed both on and off the court. What starts as a team often becomes so much more, a family that celebrates each other’s successes, supports one another through challenges, and shares a genuine sense of belonging.” – Georgia Williams, England Netball Development Officer.
Everybody Health & Leisure sees this first-hand through its Walking Netball community. Bringing players together from different sessions creates opportunities to make new connections, strengthen friendships and enjoy being part of something bigger. Events like The Great Big Walking Netball Session show just how powerful sport can be in helping people connect, socialise and feel part of their community.
For girls and young women, netball also provides positive role models. As Didcot Netball Club highlights, all netball role models are women, making the sport particularly inspiring for future generations. Players learn teamwork, decision-making, problem-solving and how to overcome challenges, whether that’s recovering from a defeat, managing an injury or striving to improve their skills.
The benefits of netball don’t disappear as we get older. In fact, many become even more important.
Staying active through sports such as netball can help maintain neural pathways and support ongoing brain development and preservation. Learning movement patterns, making split second decisions and reacting to play all challenge the brain as well as the body. Regular participation in activities that combine physical movement and cognitive engagement can help maintain these important connections as we age.
Movement based sports also support proprioception, which is the body’s ability to sense where it is in space. Good proprioception contributes to balance, coordination and stability, all of which play a role in helping to reduce the risk of falls later in life.
Netball can also support joint health through regular movement. Activities that involve controlled changes in direction, balance and coordination help keep joints moving and encourage the muscles around them to stay strong and supportive. Combined with improvements in balance and strength, this can help women remain active and independent for longer.
Programmes such as Walking Netball are particularly valuable because they offer a low impact version of the sport while still providing many of the physical, mental and social benefits. Players can continue to enjoy the game, stay connected to their community and keep moving in a way that works for them.
As England Netball’s female health initiatives recognise, supporting women through every life stage, from puberty to menopause and beyond, is essential to helping more women stay active and continue enjoying the benefits that sport can bring.
At Everybody Health & Leisure, there are plenty of ways to get involved beyond playing.
We believe in helping people live happier and healthier lives while bringing communities together. That means creating opportunities for people to learn, grow and make a difference. Whether you’re interested in volunteering, apprenticeships, work placements or training opportunities, there are a range of ways to develop your skills and gain valuable experience.
You don’t need to be an elite athlete to make an impact. From supporting community programmes to helping create welcoming experiences for participants, there are opportunities for people with all kinds of interests and abilities.
Because at Everybody Health & Leisure, sport is about more than activity. It’s about connection. It’s about confidence. And it’s about creating opportunities for everybody to live well, for longer.
