What's wrong with netball?

 

I love netball. It's my favourite sport ever. I love the aspect of being in a team, playing a game that stimulates me physically and mentally, and brings together communities and generations of people, not just women.

So why is netball so fundamentally undermined by other sports?

I was perusing the web pages of The Independent and The Guardian this morning in research of postgraduate opportunities and whether they are worth going for when in a state of procrastination I decided to have a look at the sports pages. I love reading about local netball initiatives, particularly as I am the Publicity Officer for Cornwall Netball so I like to know what is going on. The West Briton and the Falmouth Packet are quite good with their netball coverage fyi. However, I was shocked to find that netball does not feature at the top of the page with the list of sports that DOES include golf and motor racing on the Independent site. BUT NO NETBALL?? Unhappy with this, I proceeded to the 'Other' option which drops down with sailing, snooker, boxing, baseball, and general. Still not happy.

Clicking on general, there is no netball present. Even premier league darts gets a spot but my sport is shoved to the back. Obviously not important enough.

Here are some quick facts:

1. For netball, the England team are ranked third IN THE WORLD and that's with little or no pay. Imagine if they got paid how amazing we'd be then...

 2. England Netball is highly reliant on a strong network of volunteers to keep the sport alive. The people who run the leagues? They probably don't get paid. Even some members on the County management boards aren't paid. They do it for the love of the sport.

3. Netball is played up and down the country by people of all ages and abilities. 
 Anyone can play.

4. Netball is not just for girls. There are a number of mixed leagues and tournaments around the country. Men can also get involved in coaching or umpiring. My dad does both as well as being the Chairman of Allestree Netball Club in my home city. He does all of it in his spare time without getting paid, just to support a sport and a club which he is passionate about. 

So please, big national newspapers, get my sport up there and acknowledged with the rest of them. If the Cornish newspapers can support their local clubs I think you need to start supporting the national team. Especially if they can provide you amazing photos like this:

Rant over.

K xo
 

On Living Away from Home

For university, I decided to move over 300 miles south and live in a little place called Falmouth in Cornwall. It really is the most enchanting place but a stark contrast to Derby (where I was born and lived for all of my life until this point) and a huge decision to make at the age of 18. I chose to move away from most of my friends and my entire family, of course I'd see them all again but I knew that it would be very difficult to see them as often as I might like to. 

A week before I was due to move down to Cornwall I got cold feet and suddenly decided that I didn't want to leave my little bubble in Derby that I knew so well. It was the biggest upheaval of my entire life but I didn't realise until this point and started to panic a little. I was worried about not being able to cope with university life and not having the support around me that I was used to. 

As it goes, I moved to Cornwall. I've completed my first year of uni and can't wait to get back down there tomorrow after only a week at home. Now that I've tasted what another place can offer me I get bored of my hometown very quickly. I'll always come back to see my friends and family, I can't go THAT long without seeing them and I love a good catch up but I know now that they'll always be there to support me, no matter how far I go.

This year away has taught me that I am capable of doing things outside of my comfort zone and pushing those limits can open up a whole wealth of opportunities. Although living away from home has been hard at times (running out of money, missing home, etc.) it has been the best experience of my life. So to all those on the brink of university life, relish the feeling of the unknown and embrace the amazing experiences coming your way.

K xo

April's Challenges: Final Update

As it's no longer April, I feel it's time to look at my aims and see what I actually did. Here are the aims that I set down a month ago:


"This April I want to:

1. Try out henna tattoos.

2. Start running.

3. Create a revision timetable and actually revise!

4. Plan a visit to see my friends in Birmingham.

5. Create a arty piece of work that I'm proud of."

I only managed to get through 2 of these; revising while I wasn't at uni and seeing my friend in Birmingham. However, I did go for a run this morning so that's a third one that I've sort of done, but didn't get chance to complete in April.

My arty side has been quite dormant since I started my university course. I struggle for time to get my creative self together and actually thing of something to do. I'd quite like to get more arty so I think this is an aim for the rest of the year! 

Thanks for reading,

K xo

April Challenge Update: Revision

It's got to that time of year again. Yes, it's almost exam time!

It's funny because I thought that university would mean as few exams as possible yet, although I have less exams this year than last, I'm still spending a longer amount of time sitting exams as each one is 3 hours long. Yes, 3 hours!! I'm a little worried because I can barely concentrate for 1 hour, let alone 3. Writing for 3 hours straight is also going to take a lot of practice. Oh, and learning quotes from the set texts because it's a closed book exam.

I have a lot to do and I'm not really doing it. Just complaining about it, typical student! On the plus side, however, I have made a revision timetable and am attempting to stick to it. I honestly didn't realise how difficult keeping to a timetable would be at home, especially as all my friends are home too and I want to make the most of seeing them. I'm trying though!

Wish me luck!

K xo

April's Challenges

"30 Days hath September, April, June and November..."

Only 30 days in April. There's something that I find so appeasing about even numbers.
With April just around the corner, I thought I'd set myself 5 challenges (I know it's an uneven number but it's one that I feel comfortable with) to complete over those 30 days. I was going to attempt to do something every day but I've never tried anything like this before so thought I'd start with a realistic goal. Here are my 5 goals for the next month.

This April I want to:

1. Try out henna tattoos.

2. Start running.

3. Create a revision timetable and actually revise!

4. Plan a visit to see my friends in Birmingham.

5. Create a arty piece of work that I'm proud of.

Fingers crossed that I'll manage some (if not, all) of these. I thought I'd keep them as 'aims' rather than 'I-will-definitely-be-doing-all-of-these' things. I don't like pressure and I don't respond well to it.

Hope to keep you all updated,

Kxo