It’s an exciting time of year for netball fans, as the new season gets underway and the squads are announced for the Netball Super League. Eight teams will be competing in the 2024/25 season, with current title holders Loughborough Lightning aiming to keep ahead of rivals Manchester Thunder and London Pulse, among others.
Meanwhile, aspiring younger players are gearing up for the start of the Roses Academy, which coaches under 16s who have been selected from youth leagues for their potential. The athletes will attend training camps at Loughborough University throughout the season, and will take part in friendly matches.
The young players will also be eligible to play for England in the Netball World Youth Cup, which takes place in Gibraltar later in September. Discussing the selection process and new cohort, Mkoloma said: “It has been an exciting process to ensure we have been able to identify a group of talented Roses Academy players for the 2024-25 programme.”
“The Roses Pathway support staff, coaches and I will ensure these players receive high-quality care and coaching, offering them not only valuable experience but also technical and tactical insights to help further their game. With a big 12 months ahead, I can’t wait to watch this group grow, evolve and fully embrace all the opportunities that come their way.”
This demonstrates the exciting opportunities that netball can open up to younger people; it’s not just about playing a game, but also a chance to meet new people, grow in life experiences, and travel and visit interesting places. Here’s a look at how to get started playing netball as a child or teenager.
Why netball?
Netball is growing in popularity because it offers so much. It’s a team sport where children will learn to work together, communicate well, and support each other. It also helps to develop good emotional intelligence as children learn to cope well with both winning and losing. These skills are not just for sport but also for the rest of life!
It is of course a physical challenge as well, helping the maintaining cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and flexibility. It lays the foundation for good exercise habits in later life, as kids realise the benefits of keeping fit such as increased energy levels, better mood, and improved functional fitness.
Netball also requires good hand-eye coordination and the ability to move swiftly and accurately, which improves dexterity and agility in other areas of life.
Being part of a netball team also expands children’s social horizons, giving them the opportunity to make new friends with similar interests, and develop their social skills in a welcoming community. This can boost levels of happiness and self esteem. Above all else, playing netball is simply good fun!
There are many ways to get involved in netball. It’s often taught in schools or at after-school clubs. There are also private netball clubs and camps that offer classes, such as our Reigate camp. It’s also possible to practise basic skills such as catching and throwing the ball at home with siblings or friends.