Our Stories

Sharing netball’s untold stories #HumansOfNetball DM to share a story

[Our Stories @NetballStories]

“I lost my mum about three months ago. But without my mum I would never have started netball. I was seven, my mum came to this country as part of the Windrush generation and where we lived in East London, it was tough. As a migrant coming to this country that is how she connected with other mums at the school, and I was able to connect with other kids at the school through netball. So, it’s been with me for six decades. And it has seen me through my darkest times, but it also brings me a great deal of joy, you know? Today is one of the first times I’ve come back to match coaching and it just brings me a great deal of joy to see everyone running around: to see all the people that I’ve probably known for decades now all through netball. That’s what it does. I challenge anybody to have something like that throughout their life that you make friends, and you meet incredible women through this sport. You meet incredible women and see what the sport can do for you. Yeah, without it, I’m not quite sure how I would have made some days work.”

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[Lady Z @ZaraTomkiActor]

Sharron @coach1lb has already transformed my daughter’s life, and mine. Her generosity to invest in these girls is so greatly appreciated and needed. Thank you and yes, we need you to keep going!!! 💙💙🖤🖤💗💗

[Our Stories @NetballStories]

“I’m sacrificing quite a few Sundays where I used to play village cricket. I’ve been playing for the same village team for 25 seasons now. And this year is the year I’ve played the fewest games for them because we’ve been more involved, we’ve had [netball] league fixtures on Sundays, and tournaments and things like that. And I’ve been doing this because I can play this now, in five years time I’ll still be able to play cricket, whether I’ll still be able to play this, who knows? And after [EMMNA] Nationals I’ll go back to cricket because we’ll still have a month left of the season. But yes, I am with people who I’ve played cricket with for many years, they go, ‘Well why are you doing the netball?’ And it’s like, well, it’s hard, it’s good for my fitness, it’s good for my body to keep pushing it and trying to keep up with these people and having a great time. I think some of them would have done it 20 years ago. They’re at the point now where they’ve got their mates they go cycling with as their cardio, rather than doing this, because Cricket certainly isn’t hard cardio. Cricket is our excuse to get in the pub afterwards and have a plate of chips and a couple of pints.

Obviously, the main difference is the physicality of it… This can get very competitive very quickly and there are certain people who, on court, can be pretty difficult characters. Sometimes I might even fall into that category myself because I’m highly competitive and just a bit slower than I think I am. I recognise that I’m not as fit as almost everybody else out there, which is fine, because I’m also giving them a 20-year start, and that’s absolutely brilliant, and I love it. I’m really looking forward to seeing where the team goes, whether it’s from the bench, helping out on court or being a spectator because it’s just a joy to be part of it.”

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[Our Stories @NetballStories]

“N: Other people who don’t realise we’re together have often said to him, ‘Gosh she needs to chill out a bit’. And he’s like, ‘No it’s okay, she’s the missus’ and I’m like, he really wants to learn and we, I think as a couple, we are quite open and honest with each other anyway, so he would far rather hear the truth and get better.

R: Yeah don’t tiptoe around it, just get straight to the point and then I can try and put that into practice but sometimes it feels like a dozen things I’ve been told and I can’t process one of them, so she’s like ‘drop’ or ‘jump’, ‘switch’ or whatever and I’ve got no idea because I’m thinking about that person there not what’s going on over there. I’ve knocked you over a few times, we’ve had a real hissy fit.

N: We did have one training where I just went really quiet and he knew he’d gone too far.

R: But I think you know it’s not, it’s not malicious, it’s because I’m trying, I’m trying so hard because I just want to get that ball. 

N: We both just want to win, that’s what it is. And we’re fine in the car afterwards but yeah, it does get a little bit… but it stays on court. It’s nice now, we’ve got such busy lives outside of netball, it’s nice that we can carve out time to do something together. And for me something that I love so much and I’m so passionate about that has been there through my whole life, to now be able to share that with him is really special. And it means I don’t have to choose. I don’t have to sort of say, ‘Oh I know I have to invest time in my relationship’, I can do both and that’s really great that he’s supportive of that.”

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[Our Stories @NetballStories]

“I don’t know. It’s not competitive as in being better than other people. I don’t really care about being better than other people. I just like the satisfaction and how rewarding stuff is when you do stuff well. Like whatever it is: netball, an amazing split landing, or an amazing movement, or whatever it is. It’s like, I’d much rather be doing that and our team playing really well than play some random bunch like, a charity tournament type thing, and just destroy a team. I like being really competitive. I like getting really good at stuff, but not so that I can beat other people. It’s impossible to play perfectly, but I’m constantly like, what’s the next thing you could be doing better? You’re never going to play perfectly, but every single time after I played, even if it’s a really good game, it’s just like, that was really good, but I’m constantly thinking in my head maybe next time I should try this or do that. So yeah, when like people say, ‘Oh, you’re really, really competitive’, it’s not at all - I don’t really mind about beating people and winning. It’s more the perfecting the art or the craft or whatever sport it is.”

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[Chloe Merrell @chloe_merrell]

The story of three amazing women who have created something really beautiful.

[Our Stories @NetballStories]

“M: I realised that there was a massive community element of netball that I probably didn’t notice before when I was at school, so I have a social media platform and I just randomly posted on my story one day saying ‘Hey guys I think it’d be really cool if we could get like a people of colour and black netball team together’. I made a link to a Google form to see who was interested and I got over a hundred responses. I was like, okay, there’s actually a market for this. People actually want to play. And I feel like netball is not very accessible to black women. I don’t remember playing with many black women during school, so to see that response was kind of shocking.

R: I think for me personally, I see Black to Netball more than just us being here on this court every Monday, but actually bringing netball into people’s lives more than just playing the sport. Being able to show people that there are people playing at a really high standard, black women who look just like us, especially the young girls coming through, they literally look just like us. And being able to give people that opportunity to see that and see beyond Black to Netball, they can go and watch it with their friends, they can go watch it on YouTube or on Sky, or on the BBC, they can come here and watch a casual game - there are so many opportunities for netball to be a part of your life. It doesn’t have to just be Black to Netball.

O: Growing up, I played netball in school and I was very good at it, but I never saw anyone like me doing it at a super high level. And there were some black women playing, but it wasn’t commonly known. If I look back, had I known, I probably would have been a lot further in my netball career because I would have gone through pathways but I literally stopped playing after school. Having representation matters so much. And I was sceptical, I won’t lie but I said let me see what this is about. This could be something special and it really has been. I love community. I love making an impact. That’s like my mission statement for life: always do something that makes an impact. And this definitely is one of those things.”

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[Our Stories @NetballStories]

Black2Netball is a dedicated netball community for black women and non-binary people founded with a mission to keep people active, help them make friends and revive their love for netball.

[Our Stories @NetballStories]

“M: I realised that there was a massive community element of netball that I probably didn’t notice before when I was at school, so I have a social media platform and I just randomly posted on my story one day saying ‘Hey guys I think it’d be really cool if we could get like a people of colour and black netball team together’. I made a link to a Google form to see who was interested and I got over a hundred responses. I was like, okay, there’s actually a market for this. People actually want to play. And I feel like netball is not very accessible to black women. I don’t remember playing with many black women during school, so to see that response was kind of shocking.

R: I think for me personally, I see Black to Netball more than just us being here on this court every Monday, but actually bringing netball into people’s lives more than just playing the sport. Being able to show people that there are people playing at a really high standard, black women who look just like us, especially the young girls coming through, they literally look just like us. And being able to give people that opportunity to see that and see beyond Black to Netball, they can go and watch it with their friends, they can go watch it on YouTube or on Sky, or on the BBC, they can come here and watch a casual game - there are so many opportunities for netball to be a part of your life. It doesn’t have to just be Black to Netball.

O: Growing up, I played netball in school and I was very good at it, but I never saw anyone like me doing it at a super high level. And there were some black women playing, but it wasn’t commonly known. If I look back, had I known, I probably would have been a lot further in my netball career because I would have gone through pathways but I literally stopped playing after school. Having representation matters so much. And I was sceptical, I won’t lie but I said let me see what this is about. This could be something special and it really has been. I love community. I love making an impact. That’s like my mission statement for life: always do something that makes an impact. And this definitely is one of those things.”

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[Our Stories @NetballStories]

"I think it's really helped me prioritise because I enjoy it so much. And it wasn't until my kids, because they're five and seven now, they would have been, like, one and three when I first got back to netball. Yeah, so it is hard. But it's made me realise that I need to carve out a bit more time for myself, you know? And for my well-being. And it does make me better because at first, I felt really guilty for leaving them; for matches and things like that. But then when you get back, because you're refreshed, you're actually a better person, a better mum, you know? And you realise that I shouldn't feel guilty. It actually helps me and makes me more well-balanced."

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[Brit Clarke✈️🔆🐘🦋🐢 @britneyclarke99]

Thank you for the unwavering belief you have in me when hardly anyone else did, for encouraging me to live in the moment & enjoy what I can. For reminding me always that netball is not be all & end all.

Most of all, thank you for reminding me that I am worthy and I am enough!

[Brit Clarke✈️🔆🐘🦋🐢 @britneyclarke99]

I cannot thank you enough for your continued support through it all. The very high highs, the lows, and the times when it got dark. Thank you for celebrating the good times with me when they came and constantly having me in stitches of laughter!

[Brit Clarke✈️🔆🐘🦋🐢 @britneyclarke99]

My bestest friend, the shoulders that I cry on, the one who bears the front of all my netball woes, my carpool karaoke buddy, the light that shines brightly at the end of my tunnel.

[Chloe Merrell @chloe_merrell]

A mother’s love.

“I'm proud of her whether she's playing or whether she's not playing. She has had it rough. She's been through some adverse stuff, but to see her on that court. Oh God, it fills me with pride.”

[Our Stories @NetballStories]

“Me and her and netball is not a good gel, because I think she thinks I don’t know what I’m talking about. I didn’t make it to her level, so maybe I don’t know what I’m talking about. And she could be right because I think she’s evolved into such a good coach now. I admire her.

Our relationship with netball, I try to only be positive with her when it comes to netball because I find that sometimes I can say things and she’ll take it the wrong way. But that’s because I’m her mum. And other people will tell her the same thing and she’ll take it differently from them. So it’s just that mum-daughter relationship. But yeah, the older she gets, the better it’s getting, I should say.

I’m proud of her whether she’s playing or whether she’s not playing. She has had it rough. She’s been through some adverse stuff, but to see her on that court. Oh, God, it fills me with pride. I get really emotional, especially when she’s had a good game. Don’t get me wrong, if she’s had a bad game, I’m the first one to tell her you were shit: ‘You were absolutely shocking’. I will be the first one, but nah, she’s made me proud of the young lady she’s become. And her journey in netball hasn’t been easy, because there’s been times when she’s wanted to quit. And I’m talking from back in club, when we were pushing her at under 16 or regional or nationals. And she was like, ‘No, it’s too much mum’, she wanted to quit. But luckily she didn’t because look where she is now.

I think people know better than to come near me with their negativity about my child because I am very, very protective about her. You don’t breathe on her without me going absolutely doolally. So I haven’t heard any negativity. And to be fair to her, all her DMs are positive, positive, positive. There’s kids, adults who are DM’ing her and are saying ‘You’ve just given us a new lease on life’, ‘You make me want to go play netball that I never played before, or continue playing netball’. So she’s got a really positive effect on young ladies and other ones.”

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[Lisa Alexander AM @CoachLisaA]

How important are PE Teachers!!

[Chloe Merrell @chloe_merrell]

A story about love for a sport, the dire problems of accessibility and the resolve to bring about change for the future.

“Being a PE teacher now I see so many more opportunities. I see the major difference between private schools and state schools and it's just worlds apart.”

[Our Stories @NetballStories]

“In my primary school, before they got the money pumped into it to make it a better school, we had nothing. We had a PE teacher who wasn’t a PE specialist so netball was literally catching, throwing, passing around.

So then, when she came in and was offering it as an after-school club, it was quite good stuff. It kept us all out of trouble because we were from quite a rough area as well. My entire club, my year group and that school were a lot of low-income families, split families… so it was good to give us all an outlet and to go somewhere else. It was hard though. When I went to secondary school I was still part of the netball team but then you do see the difference between you and the girls who played for a club.

It was really difficult because I did really want to go to a club. And as I got older and became more and more interested in netball and developed more and more of a passion, I really wanted to go to a club. But it was so expensive: just membership fees, even for kids. You had to buy all the kit and all that stuff, season fees and then my mum would have to travel but then she had my sister as well so it made it difficult. And because the girls who were in the club were from well-off families, they didn’t like… we were friends but we weren’t friends enough that they would offer to take me anywhere. So I wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere anyway. So it was quite crappy, especially when after year 11 I went into sixth form and for A-level PE if you wanted to get a good grade, you needed to do it outside of school as well. So at A level, I was capped because I wasn’t accessing a club. My PE teachers used the Pupil Premium fund to get me in a couple of training sessions so I could go get my videos, go get a game. They worked really hard for me to try and fund me to get me through. But it was just the bare minimum.

Yeah, there was not much access to it back then. But being a PE teacher now I see so many more opportunities. I see the major difference between private schools and state schools and it’s just worlds apart: what people get offered and what they take through.”

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[Chloe Merrell @chloe_merrell]

“These girls are fucking rockstars.”

@NetballJamaica and its players touching folks in the grassroots 🇯🇲

[Our Stories @NetballStories]

“I want to say as well that the players that I watch who play for Jamaica, the Sunshine Girls, I find them incredibly inspiring and I think the journey that they’re still on, that they’ve been on over the last few years, it’s a privilege to watch, for me. When I think about Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Latanya Wilson and Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, they’re just at the top, top, top of their game. What they did at the Commonwealth Games, when they beat Australia, it was 57-55. I remember watching that game and I was like, these girls are fucking rockstars. Like, they are. Literally. Their funding profile is completely different to an Australia or an England. And the way that they’re able to play was just really amazing to watch. And I think it’s an outrage the fact that they were having to put a GoFundMe on because they didn’t have enough money or they needed more money to help with the funding of the team.

I just really think they’re so inspiring because if they can do that with the resources that they’ve had, I’m just so excited for what they’re going to do when more of this funding comes in.

I would just say you need to invest in them. You need to recognise the talent that you have, and you also need to make sure that you don’t lose the spirit. The risk that potentially comes with more funding and more exposure and more infrastructure and all of those things, it’s that you lose the passion and the fun that they have. I mean, this team dance in the middle of the game; they’re constantly smiling and they just have so much fun. There’s so much spirit to their game and that can’t be lost either because I actually think that’s one of their strengths and that’s the reason why they’re so successful.

So that’s what I would say as well is keep hold of yourselves on this amazing journey which obviously has already started with more funding, bigger teams, you know, all of the brilliant stuff that’s coming their way, but keep hold of that spirit and keep hold of that fun because that’s I think what also sets them apart.”

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