Walking netball is a version of netball adapted to be a slower game and thus more inclusive, allowing older or less fit people to continue playing, return to playing, or take up netball for the first time.[1] The main differences in the rules are that running and jumping are not allowed, that an extra step may be taken with the ball, and that the ball may be held for 4 seconds instead of 3 seconds.[2] A walking netball programme was first developed in England in 2017, as a collaboration between England Netball and the charity Age UK.[3] It is played in countries including England,[1][4] Australia[5] and New Zealand.[6][7]

Walking netball
First played2017

A 2021 research paper, reporting on a project involving introducing members of the Women's Institute in England to the game, found walking netball to be "an acceptable, feasible and effective intervention to increase physical activity and improve health in middle- to older- aged women".[3]

Similar slower-paced sports include walking football (association football),[8] walking rugby,[9] walking basketball.[10] walking hockey (based on field hockey)[11] and walking cricket.[11]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Walking Netball". England Netball. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  2. ^ "u3a - Walking Netball". www.u3a.org.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b Kinnafick, F. E.; Brinkley, A. J.; Bailey, S. J.; Adams, E. J. (19 October 2021). "Is walking netball an effective, acceptable and feasible method to increase physical activity and improve health in middle- to older age women?: A RE-AIM evaluation". International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 18 (1): 136. doi:10.1186/s12966-021-01204-w. ISSN 1479-5868.
  4. ^ "Walking Netball". National Federation of Women's Institutes. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Walking Netball". Netball VIC. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Walking Netball". www.netballchristchurch.org.nz. Christchurch Netball Centre. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  7. ^ "The rise of walking netball". Radio New Zealand. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  8. ^ "The Walking Football Association". WFA. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Playing walking rugby". www.englandrugby.com. England Rugby. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Walking Basketball". www.basketballengland.co.uk. Basketball England. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Walking sports". Just Get Active. Retrieved 7 August 2023.