A netball team providing sports opportunities for young women with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), is calling for more opportunities to be created in South Yorkshire.
Net4All was first set up in 2019 by Helen Thorneloe, from Sheffield Concord Netball Club.
It was set up initially as a ‘trial run’, to see if there was a want or need for people with intellectual disabilities to play netball.
Ms Thorneloe was inspired to set up the team after seeing the lack of netball opportunities for her niece Jackie, who is autistic.
The team offers an inclusive environment with lenient and adaptable coaching.
Jill Newbolt, one of the head coaches who helped to start the team, said: “It’s about these young women being visible and valued in the netball world and not being hidden away. I think it’s given them confidence but it’s bigger than that.”
Ms Thorneloe added: “Netball is great but it’s a small part of what we do.
“It’s socialisation, it’s playing as a team, learning to win and lose but also it’s coming and feeling comfortable with the group.”
Despite starting small, Net4All has led to a range of playing opportunities including the South Yorkshire League and the ParaNetball Championship, where the team have earned both gold and silver medals.
Jackie Mitchell often travels from Scotland to play with the team because there aren’t any netball opportunities close to her.
She said: “It’s great because [she] started off with one person and thought maybe there isn’t this demand, but she didn’t give up and I’m glad because now when we go to ParaNetball Championships there’s two teams playing.”
Even in South Yorkshire, Net4All is “the only group for miles that runs a netball session.”
Ms Thorneloe said that whilst there are some opportunities available, such as Sheffield Special Olympics groups, these opportunities only cater to a select few, adding that “there’s very little for just girls in a supportive environment”.
The group has also provided these young girls with a safe space to socialise and develop their independence.
Ms Newbolt said: “Young people with SEND often go from home to school, they don’t get to hang around or be with their friends outside of school.
“They’re transported to school so their friends aren’t where they live, so this gives them somewhere to sit and meet other people.”
Net4All isn’t just for women with special educational needs; the majority of the team consists of young players aged 11 to 18, and the organisation is inclusive of all genders, sexualities, and backgrounds.
As Net4All continues to grow in size, the team is continuing to call on local authorities, organisations and sports teams to recognise the need for more inclusive sports opportunities.
They want to ensure that all young people, regardless of their abilities, have the chance to participate and feel valued in the community, especially young girls with SEND.
