So pre-season has ended and I’m proud to say that I’ve definitely learned so much more about the sport of netball and have definitely formed a new found respect for it. The intensity of it is quite real even though if we take it slower since we’re beginners. The collaboration needed for the communication in times where thinking on the feet is needed and being able to clearly say where the ball is going to go and where you are going to go next. After every session which is once per week, I’m covered in sweat and completely beat from all the running and ball handling. To be honest, I did not have good stamina or strength in general going into these sessions but I think I have definitely gotten better in those areas and these are important to live a rather long and healthy life.

Thinking on your feet isn’t just a skill that’s needed in the court but applies to real life settings where people simply need to think of something quick. I think with the running and adrenaline pumping helps with having quick reactions but it’s good practise for the future.

Even though I’m not taking this sport to a competitive setting, I think just playing with other people has taught me a thing or two about sportsmanship and to respect the fact that you’ve lost/won which also again applies to a real life setting. To be able to set down losses and to leave it behind you because continuously hanging onto something that you couldn’t achieve or reach affects all the things you do in the future.

Netball turns out to be really fun. We have a small group of people in which 2 people are my really close friends and honestly we have a blast. I go into each session which is once per week feeling a bit nervous because I still don’t quite believe I’m capable of being good at a sport but I’m really trying. I come out of each session feeling drained but really happy because I guess being active does that for you. The next day however is a different story where my legs feel like lead and I feel like I can barely walk but it’s definitely worth it.

Since sometimes, there really is a lack of people, the whole session just turns into a fitness session where we have to do cardio and push ups and that whole lot of stuff which is basically torture but apparently it’s good for the body and the heart. But sometimes I feel like there’s less of the netball element because we often don’t have enough people to play a full game or even a half game which is probably why I joined netball in the first place.

I have only played netball before in P.E. and I enjoyed it and so I joined netball pre season in season 2 just to get some exercise and learn more about the sports. Even though pre season is preparation for in season, I really don’t have any intention in going in season netball because of time restrictions. It’s definitely challenging physically since it’s a sport and I don’t really do ball sports, but everyone is really quite encouraging. Some people have been playing netball for a while and are really good at it but I’m telling myself that I’m having fun as to not worry too much about dropping the ball or not being able to catch the ball. Perhaps I joined this activity also to gain some self confidence and to be able to believe in myself that I can actually score a goal or that I am capable of doing something that is out of my comfort zone. I wasn’t really engaged in PE in my old school because I felt self conscious and therefore it was hard to think on the spot. I would often space out and throw the ball somewhere random which aroused of course a lot of “come on!” and “what?”s. Which lead me to withdraw from moving around and actually trying to play the sport. So I’m trying to improve on that. Also, since coming to this school, I’ve been surrounded by people who are extremely good at a sport and since I had the opportunity to do this, I thought “why not?”.