Thinking about joining a netball team. Do you play?

[MiseryChops]

Bit of a specific thread I suppose so not expecting many answers.

I am late 30s. Only ever played netball in PE at school but I did love it.
There’s a beginners ‘back to netball’ team starting tonight and I think I want to go for fun/ fitness and meet new people.
However I am always anxious/ socially awkward for the initial first go so I’m battling with talking myself out.

I wonder, do any of you play netball (especially if you’re older like me!) who can give me some advice/ tips/ stories etc. ?

I do/did play netball and I was in exactly the same position as you except early 30's.

There are a lot of teams around, and they tend to be very friendly and sociable and love new members (as it means for back to netball they can bump the teams up). They're well aware that a lot of people haven't played since school and they introduce you back to the game slowly and work on fitness as well as game play.

I'm the same and anxious, I knew a few faces when I first went but I quickly slotted in and you learn who you're best playing alongside. Within two months I was away playing for one of the clubs proper teams rather than Back to Netball. If you were good and enjoyed it at school, you'll really enjoy being part of a team, knowing new people, and although I didn't personally participate, the social side is really good!

I did exactly the same as you OP last year, joined the 'back to netball' team.

I love it. There is a huge range of ages and abilities, some can barely catch a ball, others are obviously very skilled. It's relaxed and fun and a great way of doing exercise.

I started back last year, we were a team of newbies but all get on really well.

My biggest tip would be to try all positions. We found that people initially tried their school positions and for various reasons just didn't suit it anymore.

Get decent shoes with good grip. Warm up properly and stretch. Our league had a lot of broken bones, strains and knocks in the second season as we started getting into the swing of it/competitive. Calmed down again by the third.

I joined back to netball when a friend suggested it. She's gone on to find a team, I didn't want that level of commitment so just go once a week. It is really fun. If you want to get more competitive / serious you can. There are Facebook groups called 'town name back to netball' and teams often post if they need a player for a match, so you could try out a few teams on a completely commitment free basis.
My back to netball has a junior netball directly before it, so I sit and chat to my friend while the juniors are playing, then our kids entertain each other while we play. It is very relaxed. The kids know the rules, and mine is happy to sit with a book.

Thank you for all your replies

I think I might be brave and do it.
Hopfully I’m not shit!

Good luck, and well done for going for it! Please report back

Definitely go, I am a lot older than you and have joined a walking netball team and am really enjoying it. I hadn't played since school but it seems to be like riding a bike, you automatically remember the basics of how to play

Do it OP! I went back at 35 3 years ago after not playing since school and wouldn't be without it now, cant believe I didn't play for so long.

I was very nervous like you but loved it straight away and I now captain one of our teams

Bloody love netball. c.30 years after my last game at school and netball night is the best night of the week. It's the only proper exercise I get and I consider it essential for my mental health. I bring all my angst and worries to the court and battle it out then and there. Do give it a try and keep trying until you find the right bunch of women to enjoy it with.