How Netball Can Support Mental Wellbeing, Confidence and Connection
Netball is more than a sport. For many players, it can be a place to build confidence, make friends, stay active, develop resilience and feel part of a team.
At Brentwood Apex Netball Club, we believe that looking after our players means supporting their development both on and off the court. While netball is not a replacement for professional mental health support, being active and connected with others can form an important part of a healthy lifestyle and positive wellbeing.
How Can Netball Support Mental Wellbeing?
Whether you’re a child discovering netball for the first time, a teenager navigating secondary school or an adult returning to sport, there are many positive reasons to get involved.
PARTICIPATION
Regular participation in sport can provide structure, social connection and opportunities to achieve personal goals.
For many netball players, being part of a team can help create:
- A sense of belonging
- Regular physical activity
- Opportunities to make friends
- Greater confidence
- Positive routines
- A chance to switch off from everyday pressures
- Opportunities to learn new skills
- A supportive social environment
PARTICIPATION
Regular participation in sport can provide structure, social connection and opportunities to achieve personal goals.
For many netball players, being part of a team can help create:
- A sense of belonging
- Regular physical activity
- Opportunities to make friends
- Greater confidence
- Positive routines
- A chance to switch off from everyday pressures
- Opportunities to learn new skills
- A supportive social environment
Netball and Confidence
Confidence doesn’t appear overnight. It can grow through small achievements—learning a new pass, successfully completing a drill, making an interception, scoring a goal or simply having the confidence to try something new. Netball gives players countless opportunities to experience these moments. At Brentwood Apex, we encourage players to focus on progress rather than perfection. Mistakes are part of learning. Missing a shot doesn’t make you a bad shooter. Losing a match doesn’t define you as a player. Every training session provides another opportunity to learn and improve.
Netball and Physical Activity
Netball is an active, fast-paced sport involving running, jumping, changing direction, passing and shooting. Regular physical activity can be an important part of maintaining overall health and wellbeing. For many players, the biggest benefit is simply finding an activity they enjoy enough to keep doing. That’s why we believe enjoyment matters.
If a player loves coming to training, developing their skills and spending time with teammates, staying active becomes something they want to do rather than something they feel they have to do.
Netball Can Build Resilience
Sport doesn’t always go perfectly. Players will experience:
- Missed shots
- Lost matches
- Difficult training sessions
- Mistakes
- Disappointment
- Challenges with confidence
These experiences can provide opportunities to learn how to respond positively to setbacks.
A Positive Sporting Environment Matters
The environment around a player is incredibly important. At Brentwood Apex Netball Club, we want our players to feel:
- Welcome
- Supported
- Respected
- Encouraged
- Included
- Safe to make mistakes
- Comfortable asking for help
We want players to know that their value to the club is not determined by how many goals they score, how many interceptions they make or whether their team wins. They are valued as individuals.
Supporting Young Players
Children and teenagers can experience pressure from many different areas of life, including school, friendships, exams, social media and expectations around performance. Sport should provide an opportunity to enjoy being themselves.
For younger players, coaches and parents can help by:
- Praising effort and improvement
- Avoiding unnecessary pressure
- Encouraging enjoyment
- Listening to concerns
- Celebrating progress
- Allowing players to make mistakes
- Making sure sport remains a positive experience
A young player doesn’t need to be the best player on court to benefit from being part of a team.
It’s Okay Not to Be Okay
Mental wellbeing can change over time. There may be periods when someone feels confident and motivated, and other times when they feel overwhelmed, anxious, low or simply not themselves. Netball can provide connection and routine, but it is important to recognise that sport is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If a player is struggling with their mental health, encourage them to speak to a trusted adult, parent, teacher, GP or appropriate qualified professional.
Sometimes the most important thing you can do for someone is simply listen.
Netball, School and Everyday Life
The skills developed through netball can extend beyond the court.
Players practise:
- Communication
- Decision-making
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Resilience
- Time management
- Goal setting
- Confidence
These skills can help young people approach challenges in other areas of their lives.
Mental Wellbeing at Brentwood Apex
Our approach is simple. We want players to work hard, improve their skills and challenge themselves—but we also want them to enjoy being part of Apex.
Our club values reflect this:
We Train Hard
We encourage players to challenge themselves and develop their potential.
We Support Each Other
Teammates should encourage and respect one another.
We Celebrate Every Achievement
Progress matters, whether it’s a major milestone or a small personal breakthrough.
We Have Fun Doing It
Enjoyment is a fundamental part of why we play sport.
Looking After Your Wellbeing Through Netball
If you’re thinking about starting netball, you don’t need to be the fastest, strongest or most experienced player. Start where you are. Find a welcoming club. Meet new people. Learn the basics. Set yourself small goals. Give yourself permission to make mistakes. And most importantly, find enjoyment in the process. Netball can become part of a healthy lifestyle that combines physical activity, friendship, achievement and belonging.
Remember
Netball can support wellbeing, but it isn’t a treatment for mental health conditions. If you or someone you know is struggling, speaking to a trusted person or qualified healthcare professional is an important step. You don’t have to deal with difficult feelings alone.