Just got back from playing a great game of netball in the Bracknell & District League. I did belong to a team (1st division) but left as I wasn’t happy with them so I have been umpiring evey other Saturday down at the league and today decided to put myself about as a pool player. I immediately got asked to play by a 3rd div team and had a great game against the division leaders. We didn’t expect to win but we did - by about 8 goals!! I had a great time and they have asked me to join for the rest of the season, something I am more than happy to do. They are a lovely team - with some good potential - but more than that they really ARE a team. Everyone gets on, they all pull together on court and have fun whilst playing their hardest.
As I said at the start, they told me they didn’t expect to win the game and that kind of justgot my competitve spirit all riled up! Don’t get me wrong, I love playing netball, don’t really care too much about results but more about the way the game is played and I always play in the spirit of good sports(wo)manship, applauding the other team when they score a good goal or make an impressive interception. It’s this, coupled with my, how can I say it, rather loud and enthusiastic commentary/coaching that throws people and they can’t quite work me out.
I play my hardest, try my best, fight for every ball and am what you can only describe as gobby - but at the same time if I make a mistake or contact another player or the ball goes out of court off me - I am the first to admit that mistake, move away from the contact or own up to the ball out of court. Nothing ruins a game of netball or any competitive sport played at local level, than over competiveness in the form of ‘do whatever you have to, to win’.
There really is no need at this level to try to trip someone up so they can’t get to a pass, to contact them unnecessarily or put your foot in the way of theirs so that if they try to move even a little they might fall over. Let’s face it, weekend sports for most people are a fun pastime and we really don’t want to have to try to get to work or look after the little one with a broken ankle or wrist!
So a gobby yet cheerful and sportswomanlike attitude is the way I approach a game of Saturday netball, with a large helping of good spirited competitiveness thrown in! Have to say though I am quite knackered now as I haven’t played in a while and I have just commited to TWO games next week - one of which will involve a LOT of running around! WHY? WHY? WHY?
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