Sporty By Nature – The Wave Of New, Accessible Sports Taking Australia By Storm - Walking Sports Hub

For a long time, fast-paced and physically challenging sports, like football and tennis, have largely been reserved for the fitter, faster, and more agile individuals among us. But this is all changing with the establishment of clubs and teams across the country encouraging people to play sport in whatever capacity their bodies allow.

By modifying equipment, rules, and playing environments, these sports are enabling people of all ages and abilities to reap the rewards of social exercise without the risk of injury or intimidation.

Walk this way

Walking netball is one such sport that’s taking off across Australia. Walking Netball Brisbane coordinator, Sue Mitchell, says eliminating risky movements, like running, means people can continue to enjoy the sport at an intensity that suits them.

“Where do you think people go after they stop playing top netball? If they still want to play netball, where are they going to go? There aren’t always competitions and associations that cater for older people. So, they come to walking netball,” Sue says.

“The rules haven’t changed a lot, and we’ve certainly adapted them for walking netball to make it safer for people.

“We have a lot of people of various abilities as well. Somebody who has never played before might go up against somebody who’s been playing for years.”

Walking netball is one such sport that’s taking off across Australia. Walking Netball Brisbane coordinator, Sue Mitchell, says eliminating risky movements, like running, means people can continue to enjoy the sport at an intensity that suits them.
“Where do you think people go after they stop playing top netball? If they still want to play netball, where are they going to go? There aren’t always competitions and associations that cater for older people. So, they come to walking netball,” Sue says. — Pic credit: Sue Mitchell

A self-described netball tragic, Sue started playing when she was just seven years old, although at the time it was called women’s basketball. Sue continued playing until two years ago when she had knee and hand surgery.

Now 80, Sue says she still gets her exercise and socialising through her roles coordinating and umpiring walking netball.

“I have so many people contact me saying, ‘I’m in my 50s but it’s been years since I’ve played, and I don’t know whether I could play again.’ And I just say, it doesn’t matter. When you come to walking netball, everybody will help you. And if I’m not hearing laughter with people on the court, there’s something wrong,” Sue says.

The Australian Government recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity daily physical activity for people aged 65 and over. Despite this, less than one in five Australians (18.3%) in this age group met guidelines for physical activity in 2024 (the most recent available data).

Sue says that sports like walking netball are a great way for older Australians to not only stay active but also to reconnect with others.

“A lot of people, as they get older, they don’t always exercise. I tell people, just come and have a look. And I can guarantee that after the first couple of minutes, you will want to be on the court as well,” Sue says.

“When we play, we always have coffee after and just chat about absolutely anything. As you get older, a lot of people live alone and need contact with other people. You need somebody that you can just talk to.

“Some people have even gone to school or university together and then lost touch and have reconnected through walking netball. And that’s the great thing about sport—it draws in people from everywhere.”

Low impact, high engagement

Walking, swimming, and golf are popular among Australians 55 and above, but other low-impact sports like pickleball have boomed in recent years too. Easier on the joints and heart rate, chair volleyball is another adapted sport encouraging older Australians to get involved across a broader range of sport and exercise…

CONTINUE READING at source: https://nationalseniors.com.au/members/our-generation/autumn-2026/sporty-by-nature

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