Players taking up new version of game across Australia
Age and injury has brought many an amateur netballer's sporting career to an end, but a new version of the game is drawing some out of retirement.
Transcript
00:00 On a balmy evening, the umpire blows her whistle
00:04 and says words not often heard here.
00:07 No jumping!
00:09 The pace may be a little different, but the competition is just as alive.
00:14 This is walking netball.
00:17 So, basically, it is netball, but you cannot jump and you cannot run.
00:22 But other than that, it's netball at its finest.
00:25 A pivot away from regular rules makes it more accessible
00:29 and players are less likely to get hurt.
00:32 It's a perfect fit for Cathy Schliebs.
00:35 Well, being an XA grade player, yes, there was lots of injuries,
00:39 ankles, shoulders.
00:41 Walking netball has enabled you to get back into doing the game
00:45 that you love and have always loved at the ability that we can manage.
00:50 The contact in this game is social contact.
00:55 This modified sport brings together people of all ages and abilities
01:00 and many say it's a great antidote to isolation and loneliness,
01:05 especially in regional areas.
01:07 The muscles that hurt the most, I swear, are my cheeks, just from walking.
01:11 That first week I was actually crying.
01:14 I think most of us would say we've never laughed so much.
01:16 It's about meeting new people.
01:18 I've met a lot of women that I've not known who they were and vice versa.
01:23 Plus I think it gives you a bit of exercise.
01:25 You can see we're all huffing and puffing out there tonight.
01:27 Already nearly 200 South Australians are playing this unique sport.
01:33 Netball SA says the health benefits stretch beyond the court.
01:38 We had one participant here in our competition who had early onset dementia
01:42 and their doctor actually prescribed it as part of their therapy.
01:46 A therapy full of fun, fitness and friendship.
01:49 ship.
01:49 [BLANK_AUDIO]