There’s a new sport about to be trialled in the Blue Mountains.
Walking netball is targetted at less mobile netballers who still want to enjoy the game but aren’t as light of foot as they once were. It has the same rules as regular netball, the main difference being one foot must remain on the ground at all times, and you can interchange at any time.
That means there’s no jumping, and that’s more difficult than it first seems, for those who’ve played regular netball over many years.
“Your natural reaction is to run for the ball,” said netball stalwart Carmel Higgins, who has been pushing for the sport’s introduction in the Mountains.
There will be a four-week trial of walking netball starting May 5, as part of the Saturday competition played at Lapstone netball courts.
Last year on the day of the Blue Mountains netball grand finals, a demonstration game was played and there was significant interest generated.
“Everyone I have spoken to who played netball way back was very interested,” said Colleen Kime, who is also keen to take part.
“It’s fun and good for exercise for those who can no longer play and great for socialising,” Mrs Higgins said.
Walking netball is a new concept in NSW. Clubs in Penrith and the Hawkesbury are also running trial programs. But not far away, in New Zealand, it’s been played for many years and is very popular.
Mrs Higgins has spent almost 50 years coaching, mentoring, and running netball in the Blue Mountains, and in January was named Blue Mountains Citizen of the Year for service to women’s sport.
At 75 years of age, she is still actively involved in coaching netball teams, and can’t wait to get back on the court for the walking netball trial.
She hopes there will be enough interest generated to field six teams in the four-week trial. Interested women do not need to be affiliated with a club to take part. For more information or to express an interest contact Carmel on 4739 1239 or fthiggins@bigpond.com or Colleen on 4754 4335 or k.ckime@bigpond.com.
