It is exactly like normal netball, but with one key difference: it is walking netball. For many, it’s a chance to keep fit, get out of their house and remain active, all while not having the physical implications normally connected with the sport.
For many people, it is much more than just playing sport; it is a chance to socialise and is the highlight of their week.
Charlotte Pritchard is an avid member of the Berkhamsted Walking Netball club and described the joys of being a part of the club “I’ve made lots of friends, and I look forward to being here each week, we play hard, we play fair, we don’t care who wins and it is just a lovely social thing to be a part of.”
These sessions are just as important socially as they are physically, with a welcoming atmosphere at the heart of the community. Coach Sally Whittle explains how important these sessions are for some people “I thoroughly enjoy coaching, getting involved with people and seeing the positive impact that it can have on their lives, is the best part of it.”
“That one hour a week really can make a difference for some people after having various conversations throughout my coaching career, and it is really fulfilling, and that’s why I do the job, it makes a difference.”
It is the connections made which keep people returning to this club, and through walking netball, these connections are staying alive. In some cases, sport can become exclusive, but clubs like Berkhamsted Walking Netball club keep communities and connections in ways that most things cannot.
