Netball for mums

Team Baby at Top Corner

I love Netball. The first time I played we got beaten 17-0, I was seven. Not deterred, I played through school, uni, a bit at county-level, then in social leagues around London.


...Til I became a mum. Game over? No! We formed a scratch team of mums and dads and playing in a Top Corner social league in central London. 

See, I'm mad about Netball.

And so is Leona Carroll - who's job it is to help MORE people play MORE Netball and have MORE fun!

Leona runs social leagues and organises drop-in sessions around London for women to learn the very basics of netball, or pick up where they left off. The coaching sessions cater for all abilities and get local together with other like minded ladies in a social and supportive environment.

Leona and I decided that that, before we all launch into the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games excitement, we'd spare a moment to talk about the wonderful game that isn't (YET) included (BUT REALLY SHOULD BE!).


I asked her how women can get involved in Netball and why it's such a great thing to to. 

Leona: Netball is a great sport, especially for women.  It provides a social environment in which like-minded women can come together and regain or maintain their fitness and confidence.  Not to mention, it’s fantastic fun! The group participation dynamic of netball gives super support and is a great motivator which keeps women coming back for more week-in week-out.  It’s way more fun than forcing yourself to the gym! lol

Katy: Why are you so keen to get more women involved?

Leona: Well, we understand that many women played Netball in school but didn’t keep it up beyond that.  It’s important to be active, the bottom line is that having a run around and playing sport makes you feel better.  Netball provides an environment in which women feel comfortable.  It’s a growing community out there.

Katy: Mums are high on your priorities list, any particular reason?

Leona: For mums, not only are do they get to have fun and stay fit, there’s the role-model aspect.  Getting back into Netball sets a really good, healthy example for their kids, especially girls.  If they see Mum going out to play netball every Tuesday they’ll realise that sport’s not just a guy’s thing. They might get more involved when in school. 

Katy: How is Top Corner helping women get involved in Netball?

Leona: We organise social leagues.  At the moment we have social netball leagues running at 16 venues across London.  Most of our leagues are graded so we can cater for different levels of ability. We try our best to make sure that we get women playing in the league that’s best suited to them.  Playing with people of similar standard we’ve learned is the best way to keep it fun. 

Katy: Do you need a team to play at Top Corner?

Leona: Actually, no. We’ve introduced the option for individuals to apply for certain leagues.  Very soon we’ll have this option available across all our leagues.  We’ve also very recently teamed up with England Netball and their extremely popular Back to Netball sessions.  It’s early days but it’s very exciting.  England Netball are going to run their Back to Netball sessions at a few venues alongside our leagues.  The Ealing sessions are running and Old Street is in the pipeline.  

Katy: What’s the reason for the partnership with Back to Netball?

Leona: The official Back to Netball coaching is an excellent way for individual women to get back into the game, or learn it from scratch and we (Top Corner) offer the next step.  Most women don’t want to go from learning the game to the serious competitiveness of the weekend netball leagues.  Top Corner is the in-between, fun and social option! Training is a way to get involved in sport, Back to Netball gets you started, Top Corner keeps you going.

Katy: Do you think Netball is a woman’s thing?

Leona: The Back to Netball sessions are a woman’s thing, and they’re increasing women’s participation in sport by tens of thousands!! The Back to Netball program has actually been shortlisted for the National Lottery Awards.

But Netball is for everyone! The men and daddies can get involved too. Mixed netball is a growing social sport and we have mixed leagues running at Top Corner.  I know you have experience in the mixed Netball scene yourself, Katy.  Speaking of which, when is Team Baby coming back??

Katy: Hmmm, give me a while, my second son is only 8 weeks old! My Netballing days aren't over though I promise.

Katy: How can readers find out more about getting involved with Netball in London?

Leona: JOIN THE NETBALL REVOLUTION!

Grab the opportunity to get fit, make friends and fall in love with Netball!

If you have any questions about joining a Top Corner league or the Back to Netball sessions, I would love to help - leona.carroll@topcorner.co.uk, 0207 036 9926.

Leona is Operations Manager at Top Corner, working with England Netball’s Back to Netball initiative.