“It’s a great way to exercise your body and your mind with different challenges every week,” said Janet, who has taken up netball again. It is a wonderful way for people of any age or ability to have fun, meet friends and keep fit.

As well as Back to Netball sessions, there are also junior sessions and ‘walking netball’ for older players like Janet.

It is all run at local courts owned by Ealing Council, organised by Will to Win – which can also provide a bespoke netball taster for your school, workplace, or group.

Netball is a sport that has multiple physical and mental benefits:

• Improves mental and physical health
• Builds up hand-eye co-ordination
• Burns calories and lowers body fat if played regularly
• Improves upper body strength by working key arm muscles.
• Develops depth perception.

FIRST SESSION FREE

With the range of netball opportunities that exist within Ealing for all ages and abilities and the new year still fresh, there is no better time to get back into netball or give it a go. Adult sessions are drop-ins, so there is no commitment required and usually cost £5. For a limited time, we are pleased to be able to offer Around Ealing and Ealing News Extra readers their first session FREE of charge. Simply quote AROUND EALING when you go down to your first session.

GET BACK TO NETBALL

Has it been a while in between netball games or are you just getting started? Back to Netball sessions for adults provide the ideal reintroduction to the sport and are perfect for beginners or people who have had a break in playing. Run by enthusiastic Will to Win coaches, these sessions typically cover the basics of the game including attacking, defending and shooting, and finish with a friendly match.

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE

If you thought your netball days were over, think again. With Walking Netball drop-in sessions, you can enjoy all the benefits of the sport, get your physical activity levels up and all with no running permitted. The weekly sessions are ideal for anyone wishing to take up netball in a fun, friendly and relaxed environment. Better yet, these sessions often finish with a team coffee in the café.

Pamela takes part in Walking Netball drop-in sessions at Lammas Park in Ealing and said: “’I missed playing netball after my team folded in my earlier years, so I’m glad I’ve found walking netball. It’s great to be back playing again and a great way to meet new friends.”

FOR THE KIDS

Will to Win offer a complete junior netball programme including term time courses and holiday camps. Courses are run after school over multiple weeks during term time and cover the core game skills including passing, footwork and shooting and finish with a friendly game to put them into practice. Courses are open to boys and girls aged seven-12 and help to build team work skills, boosts confidence and improve problem solving and decision-making skills.

‘STAY FIT AND HAVE FUN’

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, the council’s cabinet member for finance and leisure, said: “As part of the council’s Get Moving campaign we encourage all residents to get the recommended levels of activity. Team sports like netball improve not only physical health but mental health too. The social aspect means you’re able to stay fit and have fun while doing so.

“It is important for us to maintain strong partnerships with physical activity providers such as Will to Win so that we can work together to ensure residents can access information on their local services and are aware of the range of support available to help them become and remain physically active.”

More information

Back to Netball session times:
Mondays – Pitshanger Park, 7.30-9pm
Tuesdays – Lammas Park, 7-8pm

Walking Netball session times:
Mondays – Lammas Park, 11am-12noon

Junior Netball session times:
Mondays – Pitshanger Park, 3.45 -4.45pm (school years 3-6)
Tuesdays – Lammas Park, 4-5pm (school years 3&4), 5-6pm (school years 5&6), 6-7pm (school year 7).

Taster sessions
Will to Win can also provide a bespoke netball taster for your school, workplace, or group. Run by fully qualified coaches, the sessions can be tailored to your needs.

For more visit www.willtowin.co.uk/netball.