Thank goodness for netball because I honestly think it is the only thing that is keeping me sane at the moment.
I decided to see if there was any need, firstly for 1:1 sessions, then small group sessions when groups of 6 was allowed, about 3 weeks ago. The response has been mind blowing! I’m a little worried that I’ve created a monster and people may start getting annoyed that I can’t fit them in, but that’s a worry for another day!
I’m leading the sessions around my husband’s shifts because, if you didn’t know already, I have a couple of daughters, aged 7 & 2, who need looking after! In the nicest way possible they are why I need to get out to netball! Anyone who is homeschooling, looking after a toddler or both during coronavirus, will know where I am coming from!
These sessions have had a fair amount of planning put into them, as always from me, to be honest! ‘Preparation prevents piss poor performance’ is one of my most favourite mantras!
The 1:1s have been pretty straight forward in terms of coronavirus, it’s been the creativity thats had the most consideration needed. Planning 45 minutes of netball work with just 2 people at a 2m distance is quite a challenge but manageable with some thought! I’ve had a fair few re-bookings though, so to keep thinking of new ideas, keep the participant engaged and for it to beneficial has got me thinking outside the box! That’s no bad thing. I am definitely learning lots!
The small group sessions where social distancing must be adhered to and equipment sharing ‘kept to a minimum’, has been the most challenging! It took me best part of a weekend to plan an hours session that I thought was appropriate, advantageous & can tick all the coronavirus criteria safety boxes. I am normally a perfectionist it’s true, but making sure everything is as right as it can be is even more important during these turbulent times! It’s a heck of a responsibility.
The most important thing of course is that the participants are as safe as possible. There has been an unprecedented demand since I ‘opened’ these opportunities. I did wonder if they would be popular given the potential ‘risk’ involved. I needn’t have worried!
Just from my experience in the last two weeks, I can share that the positive impact emotionally and mentally on these social Netballers far outweighs the physical benefits, as well, I guess, as the risks of picking up Covid 19.
You can literally see the difference from ladies walking in with the weight of the world on their shoulders to walking out, a bit taller with a spring in their step!
There is a real mixture of experiences as well. We’ve had ladies attending who are key-workers: nurses and Police Officers to those working in domestic violence settings and teachers. There have been a lot of Mums, many open about their struggles with home schooling, toddlers and children with additional needs - sometimes all three. We’ve also had ladies who live alone, either furloughed or working from home and admittedly really struggling with the isolation.
The 55 minutes they spend with their team mates, or 45mins they spend just with me in a 1:1 is seen as a bit of a lifeline for them. They can ‘escape’ from their reality and it visibly, really gives them a lift.
We can only have the 5 participants in a group at the moment, but the banter, cameraderie and spirit comes back almost immediately and something you only really get with team sports and in my opinion, a certain style of it with women! Without getting too deep and meaningful it’s almost spiritual, women can ‘tune in’ to each other so perfectly.
So, as much as I am delivering a service and netball is mine, and my participants passion, it’s not the actual sport or coaching that’s given me an incredible buzz this week. It’s been the beautiful picture walkers by have experienced, the laughter and banter ringing in my ears on my cycle home and the wonderful messages of appreciation and support received.
After all, there is no community like the netball community.
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