Back to Netball
Netball is played by one million women and girls a week in the UK, and is one of the most popular female team games in the world. However, as with numerous sports, many women who have played at school, college and University cease playing following education.
'Back to Netball' is a current England Netball initiative that is happening up and down the country encouraging women to return to the sport and is proving to be a great success. According to the ladies that took part in the Hastings 'Back to Netball' sessions, it was much like riding a bike. "Once that initial chest pass has been thrown, it felt like I'd never stopped." Netball is also a great way to stay fit and healthy and just one hour can burn up to 660 calories. Whether it is about rediscovering sporting abilities you forgot you had or about getting active again, these sessions cater for all abilities.
There have been a number of successful ‘Back to Netball’ schemes run in Sussex. Previous sessions have run in Lancing and Hastings and have led to the development of leagues in those areas.
Christine, captain of newly formed team Emeralds in the Lancing League says “We are enjoying the experience and having fun, even though our team is bottom of the league, we can only improve.”
Eastbourne Borough Council, sports festival taster netball session
Where: The Academy, Selsey, PO20 9EH
When: Wednesday evenings
Time: 8:00 - 9:00pm
Contact: Mike Nicholls
Start Date: Wednesday 18th January 2012
Email: mdnicholls@mac.com
Where: East Grinstead Kings Centre, Moat Road, East Grinstead, RH19 3LN
When: Thursday Evenings
Time: 7:00 - 8:00pm
Contact: Holly Sutcliffe
Start Date: 23rd Feb - 26th April 2012
Cost: £30 for the ten week course
Email: holly.sutcliffe@freedom-leisure.co.uk
Where: Hastings Summerfields Lesiure Centre
When:Tuesday evenings
Time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Contact: Eugenie Demeza
Cost: £2.00 per session
Start date: ongoing, drop in sessions
Email: Edemeza@hastings.gov.uk
Where: St Leonards on Sea Hollington Youth Centre
Time: 10:00 - 11:00am
Contact: Eugenie Demeza
Cost: £1 per session
Start date: January 2012 Ongoing, drop in sessions
Email: edmeza@hastings.gov.uk
Where: Freedom Leisure Bexhill Leisure Centre
When: Monday evenings
Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Contact: Leisure Centre (01424) 731171
Email: martyn.reynolds@freedom-leisure.co.uk
Where: Battle Sports Centre, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0HT
When: Wednesday evening
Time: 7:00 - 8:00pm
Start Date: 16th November 2011
Cost: £3.00
Contact: 01424 774772
Email: andy12hodder@aol.com
Where: Freedom Leisure Withdean Sports Complex, Tongdean Lane, Brighton, BN1 5JD (Outdoor Courts)
When: Wednesday evenings
Time: 7:30 - 8:30pm
Start date: Wednesday 5th October
Cost: £4 FL member £4.25 non member £3 concession rate
Email: Sarah Povey or Rosie Taylor-Nunney
Where: Freedom Leisure Dolphin Leisure Centre Haywards Heath
When: Friday Evenings
Time: 6:00 - 8:00pm
Contact: (01444) 457337
Email: charlotte.macrae@freedom-leisure.co.uk
Start date: Friday 9th September - 9th December 2011 (not including 28th October)
Who: Mid Sussex Netball League
Where: Freedom Leisure Burgess Hill (Triangle Leisure Centre)
When: Monday morning
Time:10:00 - 12:00noon
Contact: Susan Binns
Dates: 9th January - 19th March (no session 13th February)
Creche: Back to Netball participants receive 50% off between 10:00 - 12:00noon in the Triangle Creche
Improvers Netball 2012
Where: Inspire Leisure Littlehampton Swimming and Sports Centre
When: Sunday Evenings
time: 6:30 - 8:00pm
Contact: Leisure Centre (01903 724184)
Email:charlotte.anning@inspireleisure.co.uk
Dates: Sunday 8th January - 11th March 2012
New sessions to be announced soon, watch this space for new programmes in Horsham and Crawley.
If you are a Sussex leisure provider or Sussex based netball club and are interested in hosting a Back to Netball programme please email Sussex Netball Development Officer for more details.
