Joanna Adams; the CEO of England Netball, and Ama Agbeze during Q&A (Photo: England Netball)

The aim of the partnership between the two trusted female organisations is to empower women through physical activity and netball. This has led to a project that looks to introduce Walking Netball sessions to WIs across the country, and to train WI members as hosts to allow them to continue delivering the programme in order to leave a lasting legacy and encourage WIs to stay active.

Over the last 12 months, approximately 360 WIs have expressed an interest in Walking Netball, 65 Walking Netball sessions have been introduced and 70 WI members have been trained to become Walking Netball hosts, a fantastic achievement, given 12 months ago they hadn’t even started playing Walking Netball. England Netball has also revealed that a further 92 WIs are scheduled to start Walking Netball in the second year of this partnership.

On Wednesday 20^th February, WIs from across the country came together at Denman College, the home of the NFWI in Oxfordshire, to celebrate the growing participation of WI Walking Netball.

Have a go!

The day began with a welcome from Lynne Stubbings; the Chair of the NFWI, and was followed by a Walking Netball demonstration on a pop up court, then a talk and Q&A with Joanna Adams; the CEO of England Netball, and Ama Agbeze; Commonwealth Games gold medalist and Vitality Rose. The day was then concluded with a ‘have a go’ session, where all attendees grabbed their trainers and took a shot at Walking Netball.

Joanna Adams, CEO of England Netball, said: “We are delighted by the staggering success of this partnership with the NFWI. When we first met to discuss setting this project up, we knew the NFWI were the perfect fit for us as they have a shared commitment to empowering women across the country.

“This project, which is funded by Sport England, has already helped improve the health and wellbeing of many WI members across the country. We know how beneficial this sport can be, which was made evident at the celebration event hosted this week at Denman College.

“It was wonderful to see so much laughter and fun on the court and to see how far this partnership has come in the last year alone. We are looking forward to what the next year has in store and to continuing our work with the NFWI.”

Lynne Stubbings, Chair of the NFWI, added: “The partnership between the WI and England Netball has been hugely successful and has demonstrated what two inspiring women’s organisations can create when they come together.

“We have loved seeing the success of Walking Netball in its first year. WIs up and down the country have embraced this project from the outset and thoroughly enjoyed taking part in a team sport which is fun, inclusive and rewarding.

“The feedback we have received from members has been fantastic. Many have remarked on how friendly Walking Netball is, it allows you to go at your own pace and anyone can play, regardless of age or fitness level.

“We are looking forward to another exciting year of Walking Netball and hope to see many more WIs get involved.” 

Courtesy of England Netball

An open application period saw over 200 WIs express an interest in being part of this exciting project.

Players in action during the Walking Netball session held at Stanborough School, Welwyn Garden City (Photo: Press Association)

Walking Netball is a slower version of the game; it is netball, but at a walking pace. The game has been designed so that anyone can play regardless of age or fitness level.

The partnership will see England Netball trained hosts deliver Walking Netball programmes which will conclude with the training of WI members as hosts to allow them to continue delivering the programme in order to leave a lasting legacy.

We are proud that two nationally recognised and trusted female organisations have come together with a united voice and the potential to reach a significant proportion of the female population.

As featured on BBC Breakfast, this project is aimed at encouraging WI members to stay active and take part in a team sport which is fun, sociable and rewarding.

Additionally, the WI is committed to reducing loneliness and isolation and fully believes in the unique social benefits of this project.

England Netball CEO Joanna Adams, commented: “This fantastic partnership between England Netball and The NFWI demonstrates the commitment both organisations have in empowering women across the country.

“This project, funded by Sport England, will help to improve the well-being of thousands of women and we can’t wait to see WI members across the country get a wiggle on very soon.”

Lynne Stubbings, Chair of the NFWI, added: “We are delighted to be working with England Netball on this exciting project, and it is very encouraging that so many WI members have already expressed interest.

The feedback from the pilot sessions demonstrates what an inclusive and rewarding programme this is, with something for everyone regardless of age or ability. We are looking forward to seeing many more members inspired in the same way.”

The initiative will run for two years initially with nationwide sessions taking place from April this year.

Fantastic success has already been seen in pilot sessions, with the following testimonies;

‘The walking bit of Walking Netball was the big attraction – it took away the fear factor and I was pleased that I didn’t have to run.’

‘The first week we did it and I went home and a stomach ache and I thought I had strained myself, but I hadn’t – it was from all the laughing! It was great fun.’

‘I was quite seriously ill a couple of years ago and thinking about a way of getting back to fitness. So I came to Walking Netball and I’ve now started walking again as an activity. I never even thought about it – my muscles are loosened by the netball and then I’m off.’

‘The WI is a good body of people to draw from to play any sport. It makes you feel happy – it’s great fun. It’s given me a renewed interest in sport that I never thought I would have.’

The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) is the largest voluntary women’s membership organisation in the UK. Now over 100 years old, it is more popular than ever before with membership levels standing at 224,000 and continuing to increase.

England Netball is the largest female team sport in the country with membership levels exceeding 100,000 and an estimated 1.4 million women and girls playing during a typical week within the netball season.

Report courtesy of England Netball