IN the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic there are few bright signs in sport at the moment with many competitions around the country – and indeed, the world – being delayed until further notice. But while other sports have left it there, Netball Australia has partnered with NETFIT Netball to bring free netball fitness programs to the living room. Ex-Suncorp Super Netball player Sarah Wall is at the helm of NETFIT, aided by recently retired Australian Diamonds midcourter, Kim Green, meaning there is no greater team to take over as netball fitness instructors during these unprecedented circumstances.

With many Australians now engaging in social distancing and working from home, it was only a matter of time before fitness became a priority with many junior and and open level competitions closing their doors to stop the spread of the coronavirus. NETFIT’s free virtual clinics will aim to keep netballers on the ball while they are unable to jump on the court, with a variety of activities for young and old alike.

The partnership between Netball Australia and NETFIT ensures there is a program available to engage and expose young netballers to the importance of staying fit and healthy, especially during a pandemic, and creates another layer in the netball community to keep young people, especially young girls, from straying away from netball.

While these online NETFIT clinics are typically targeted towards junior netballers, a variety of exercises, including netball-based workouts, yoga and nutrition workshops, will be of value to netballers of all ages, especially when it comes to adding some variety to an otherwise slow day. 

Activities also include Q&As with elite talent and prominent faces in the netball community, with the likes of Mwai Kumwenda, Laura Langman and Lisa Alexander associated with the program, while Australian netball personality Sue Gaudion has also expressed interest in the virtual clinics.

Netball Australia CEO Marne Fechner says that maintaining activity is crucial during the pandemic, and that it’s “important we take a proactive approach to keeping… [netballers] engaged with the sport”. 

The free program will be available online for six weeks, starting Monday, March 23.