Celebrating Nature and the Outdoors on Mental Health Awareness Week
11th May 2021
Despite our weather being as unpredictable as ever, netballer’s up and down the country are still getting outside to train and begin the return to normality. We have been working hard behind the scenes to provide more courts by repurposing existing outdoor spaces to ensure that participation in netball thrives as we continue to move out of lockdown.
Netball Scotland has the mental health and wellbeing of our netball community at the forefront of everything we do, and as a proud signatory of Scotland’s Mental Health Charter for Physical Activity & Sport, we are committed to supporting the Netball Family have a greater understanding of the positive impact sport and physical activity can have on mental health.
Through our #NetsGoOutdoors campaign, we have currently supported 5 Universities with portable netball posts, and providing a further 7 clubs with the equipment they need to get new and existing members back on court and playing the sport they love.
Every ambassador, mentor, staff and board members here at Netball Scotland have completed the SAMH e-learning module on Mental Health Awareness. Our ambassadors and mentors also took part in a Mental Health and Wellbeing workshop on stress, which was a winner for those who are currently undergoing exams.
The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week is connecting with nature so we asked our mentors and ambassadors about how having the opportunity to exercise or play netball outdoors has had a positive impact on their mental health.
Sophia Hudson (Mentor)
“This year more than ever, the benefits of outdoor exercise have been so evident. Training outside provides a real respite away from technology/working on a screen and being able to get some fresh air whilst doing something you love cannot go underestimated!”
Jenna Pearson (Ambassador)
“Being outdoors playing netball has had quite a positive impact on my mental health, as I feel like myself and being around nature is where I feel like myself the most. I also feel happy as I am surrounded by people who lift each other up when morale is low.
Climbing a mountain/hill also has a positive impact on my mental health as I feel like I am free to do whatever I wish, and it gives me a sense of adventure.”
Claire Cumming (Mentor)
“There is no better feeling than getting outdoors and spending time in the fresh air! I’m always at my happiest when I’m active, whether that be walking with friends, playing sports, or climbing hills. When I’m outdoors, a smile is never far from my face!”
Lauren Bond (Ambassador)
“I love being outdoors – whether it’s reading a book in the sun, walking the dog, practicing my Netball skills or training. It always lifts my mood and clears my mind. It is so easy to get wound up with studying and lectures, but even a couple of minutes of fresh air can help to destress. Because of this, I find it so important to set aside time for me to get outside – I can’t think of a better break!”
Cleo Lawrie (Ambassador)
“I feel that training outdoors with others brings a certain level of calm and peace to my week currently. As a student there’s a lot of pressure at the moment due to exams and the week can feel chaotic at times. Being provided with the opportunity to have a break from studying and take in some fresh air and exercise with friends has a really positive impact on my mental health and I know my teammates feel the same.”
Katelyn Williamson (Mentor)
“With the past year being tough on us all staying at home and enduring a culture shock, being able to get outside became a whole new experience. I started to appreciate the small things and ensured I paid attention to these such as the birds chirping in the tress, water hitting the rocks in the distance, feeling the warmth of the sun and long grass scratch my ankles. Although small and almost obvious these experiences enabled me to focus on something different making them calming, soothing and mind clearing experiences. This benefited my mental health a lot during the lockdown by being able to clear my thoughts, take a break and relax. Bringing netball outdoors has also been a beneficial factor whether I am playing or coaching. There is something so refreshing about the atmosphere outside and the new dynamic it offers that has a positive impact on my mental health and always leaves me feeling refreshed”.
Meg Wallace (Mentor)
“Having access to the outdoor courts at Peffermill has been such an amazing opportunity during such a tough year. We were able to train week in and week out from the beginning of the season and I can confidently say that everyone at EUNC is so grateful to have access to the outdoor facilities. We felt a touch of normality at every session we turned up to, even though we were only able to do non-contact training. I think being able to play netball outdoors has had a positive impact on every members mental health. This is due to the obvious benefits that physical activity has on mental health but also due to being able to see our team mates and getting some fresh air outside for a couple hours at each session, even if it was raining! The outdoor courts at Peffermill helped the club significantly in being able to function as normal as possible and keep our 100+ members involved. Without the courts and the support received by the Sports Union, Sports & Exercise and Netball Scotland, it would have been a completely different year for us!”
