Blog: "Netball gives me confidence and makes me feel fitter"
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday through the year.
In 2016 we’ll be taking a look at an A-Z of accessible sporting and fitness opportunities available to disabled people. This week it’s N for Netball, and Alison Evans discusses her love of the game and playing alongside her sister.
Read more in the A-Z blogs series.
Alison’s blog:
I am 25, have a mild learning disability and play netball every Friday with Swindon Vixens at Dorcan Academy in Swindon.
I first heard about the sport from my sister, who also plays. She also has a learning disability and has some mobility difficulties. I wanted to participate because sport is something to do in the evening, it gets me out and about and it’s helped me to make new friends
The first time I turned up at a Vixens session I felt fine, because I had my sister there. I felt welcomed and I got to order my club jumper the very same day! At Vixens all the players have a hoodie with the Vixens logo on it and their own name on the back.
I played netball at school but I was rubbish. Then there wasn’t the opportunity to play netball again, before I arrived at Vixens.
These days I enjoy everything about playing netball – being with new people, learning new things like shooting, passing and marking. The most challenging thing was learning to shoot in the higher net.
I love shooting, and I love winning. The team spirit is very strong and we all help each other – I have supported other members to get home after a session.
Netball has helped me a great deal, giving me confidence and making me feel fitter. People have told me that I’ve lost weight since playing. It has been a great experience, trying something new.
I’d definitely recommend the sport to people. Netball gets people active and it helps you feel part of a community. To be honest, I just love netball!
Disability Netball - click here for Olive's story.
Read more in the A-Z blogs series.
