Wirral Ways recently teamed up with England Netball, Tranmere Rovers in the Community and Liverpool Homeless Football Club to deliver a netball taster event, and the turnout exceeded every expectation.
The session brought together people from across our community, including people who use Wirral Ways’ services and a group of players from Wirral Mind. For many, it was their first time picking up a netball. For others, it was a chance to get back into a sport they hadn’t played in years. Either way, the energy on the day was fantastic.
Three coaches from England Netball ran the session, splitting the day into two halves. The first half focused on drills and the basics: passing, footwork, shooting and positioning, giving everyone a proper introduction to the game regardless of experience. Once people had found their feet, the second half turned into a mini tournament, with teams competing in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere that kept the focus firmly on enjoyment rather than competition.
Ruby Hargrove, Wirral Ways Health & Wellbeing Support Worker, organised the event from the ground up and was thrilled with how it went.
“The turnout was brilliant, and it was fantastic to see so many new faces giving netball a go,” said Ruby. “Netball is such a great way for people to keep fit, socialise and make new friends. It doesn’t matter what your experience is or where you’re starting from, there’s a place for you on the court. Seeing people who’d never played before laughing, cheering each other on and building connections was exactly what we hoped for.”
Events like this sit right at the heart of what Wirral Ways is about. Recovery isn’t just about the absence of substances, it’s about building a life worth living, and that means finding new interests, new routines and new people to share them with. Sport has a unique way of doing that. It gets people moving, gets them out of the house, and creates a shared purpose that doesn’t rely on conversation to build connection. For some, that first step onto a netball court is as significant as any other part of their recovery journey.
The response from everyone who took part has been overwhelmingly positive, and there’s already an appetite to make this a regular fixture. Watch this space for details of future sessions.
Last Updated on 21 September 2026