Influence of on Netball

1.0 Introduction

Through casual or organised participation, sport includes any physical activities, which aims to improve the dimensions of health such as; physical, emotional, social and spiritual. (Oxford Dictionary, 2018). In England, sports of all kinds are very popular, some including; rugby, soccer, tennis and golf. An extremely favoured sport in England is netball.

2.0 History and Tradition

Netball’s history in England began when America’s ‘Dr Toles’ visited England, introduced the modified version of basketball- netball. The new and trendy sport became very popular within the female population of England. 19 years after Dr Toles’ visit, 250 copies of the new modified rules of ‘net ball’ were revised, edited, and published. England’s population were said have liked to stick to so called ‘traditional sports’ so when modified basketball was introduced, it grew rapidly throughout England’s population, especially the women. Due to gender stereotyping, and women not traditionally meant to be playing sport, the sudden grow in women’s netball, was a significant achievement. The sport was soon introduced into the country’s schooling sport system, introducing the sport to even more possible successful netball athletes.

3.0 Investigation and Health Benefits

Traditionally netball was played on open grass fields, with courts outlined. England’s wide open fields, suited the function of netball perfectly, which would influence the sporting choice for England. Playing outside would mean, warm weather, no rain or snow. According to Sport England’s 2018 report, England’s usually blizzardy, and freezing winter, was surprisingly warm. This would help netball’s participants by accommodating the game all year round. Even with the temperature low, there are plenty of built netball arenas, with plenty of indoor courts. As netball has developed over time, most of the netball is played inside, with only London having 7000 built netball courts. Approximately 68% of England’s population suffer with over- weight or obesity problems. 1,4 million girls, women, and nowadays men play netball in England, this amount of people playing/ participating in netball, will help lower the amount of over-weight, or obesity problems in England.

3.1- Physical and Spiritual Health benefits

Playing in a team, or casually playing with friends can help; build stamina, increase aerobic capacity, lower body fat, develop the cardio-vascular system. Participating and getting involved in netball can help improve players’ spiritual health. Working together as a team, is the only way a team can win, Playing and being included in a team, can give the player a sense of purpose.

3.2 Social and Emotional Health Benefits

To improve social life, joining a netball team can earn you some life-long friends, and teammates. If you aren’t willing to join a team, playing casually with some other netballers, can again earn you friends. In netball, there is always a winner and a loser (unless a tie). Being able to accept a loss, is a key skill in life. Building yourself up, and then not winning, can affect emotional/ mental illness. Not being able to lose, can force you to put yourself down, and blame yourself. Even after a loss, teaching yourself to improve is another important skill. Being able to lose, but take it positively is a crucial key for your emotional health.

4.0 Conclusion

One of England’s most popular sport, netball, is an important part of England’s community. The aim of the sport is to either casually or organised team/ solo sport is to improve and train all dimensions of health. England’s history and tradition support the concept and legacy of netball, by having both natural and built environments to accommodate netball. Netball can improve physical health, by lowering England’s high amount of obesity disease, the more people from England playing netball will help lower the higher amount. Spiritual health can be improved by giving players’ a sense of worth, and working and being a part of a team. Building new friendships and teammates, can improve damaged social life, and learning to lose, highly develops emotional health. Netball holds a part in England’s society by improving and involving everyone and working on the dimensions of health.

4.0 References

1. Playfinder- (staff, 2018) https://www.playfinder.com/london
2. Netball England- (netballengland, 2017) https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/about/history-of-england-netball/
3. Sport England- (Jeavans, 2018) https://www.sportengland.org/research/blog-how-the-weather-impacts-activity-levels/
4. BBC – (BBC, 2019) https://www.bbc.com/sport/netball/42140492