Kelly Bertrand looks at netball’s shining example of innovation and inclusion, NETFIT
It’s sometimes so easy to forget how far technology has come when you always feel like you grew up on its sideline.
Every generation feels the same I’m sure, but as a somewhat elder millennial whose first taste of true technology was powering up Windows 95 on my mum’s computer and kicking my younger brother off the dial-up internet when I wanted to log into Bebo, the lightning speed it moves at these days makes me feel both wistful and geriatric.
It’s especially true when you think of netball – sports science has well and truly evolved beyond ice baths and half-time bananas; netball centres now take scores on phone apps rather than old-fashioned scorecards, and of course the level of online resource available to both our young and young-at-heart netballers is staggering.
So, as we celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day on March 8 with its theme of ‘DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality’, I reckon it’s a wonderful time to shine a light on one of our sport’s best companions – NETFIT, a platform and app that offers netball-based fitness for everyone.
Founded by former New South Wales player Sarah Wall, and currently fronted by former Silver Ferns Laura Langman and Courtney Tairi, NETFIT offers heaps of different services – fitness, drills, nutrition, coaching tips and umpiring advice – and can be accessed via app, so everyone in Aotearoa has access. Absolute chef’s kiss.
NETFIT's Head of Community Georgia Trent said it’s the platform we elder millennials wish we had when we were playing – but it’s one that’s still there for all of us as we continue in our netball journey, whatever that might look like (the tuck shop after social games for me, but that’s another story).
“We’re a blend of the physical and digital,” nods Georgia.
“The app has so much stuff packed into it with Lauz and Court – and even advice from Dame Noeline [Taurua] – I mean, where can you possibly get better coaching tips?!”
The need to blend the physical with the digital has been one that’s grown substantially over the last decade or so since Sarah founded NETFIT in Australia, with netball’s up-and-coming stars firmly of a digital-first generation.
“I think that’s why our TikTok is so popular,” Georgia laughs.
“In today’s day and age, the amount of time people are spending on their phones is massive. So, why don’t we leverage it? And it’s also an accessibility thing – we’re a national programme based in Auckland, so an app makes it so we can reach everyone in New Zealand, regardless of location.”
It’s an innovative model – the app (or tiny pocket-sized coach, supporter and fan all in one that doesn’t yell at you, as I like to think of it) combines everything from live drills with Lauz and Court, yoga and Pilates classes through to in-person school holiday programmes and clinics. And it’s a product unique to netball, a fact that isn’t lost of Georgia.
“It is such a great app for netball, and for women’s sport in general. Women’s sport as a whole is booming right now and netball has to do something to stay relevant, just like all sports should do. Look at the retention rates of sport when girls hit high school – these kinds of things help keep motivation and support up.
“There’s so many more options for girls now, which is amazing. But we have to keep innovating and engaging – netball just isn’t seven-aside, Saturday morning netball anymore. Times change, and what we offer and support our netball players with has to as well.”
So, long gone are the days of 25 minutes of cut the cabbage and we’re warmed up, then? (Please say yes). But while NETFIT acts as the perfect companion for an aspiring Fern, it’s additional value as a fitness aid for those of us who gave up the dream of the little black dress a long time ago can’t be overestimated. Even those of us who are two ACLs down and, ahem, a few kilos up.
“I always say to people, ‘I knew I wasn’t going to be a Silver Fern!” laughs Georgia.
“But I am probably the most netball-obsessed person I know. I know the skills, the trainings and the movements, so it makes sense to incorporate those into my fitness now. I just love netball – and the fact that I get to be a part of it everyday and bring stuff like this to people is just awesome.”
So, a huge happy International Women’s Day to all of our wāhine toa who love the game as much as we do – whether that’s still as a player, a supporter, coach, umpire or fan!
And for further exciting news… wait there is more…
After such a successful launch, NETFIT is now collaborating with Sport NZ and the #itsmymove campaign. The campaign was launched in February 2022 to help young women get and stay active their way.
It was developed to support teenage girls to stay physically active as research shows more young women than men drop out of organised sport at this age. There are clear contributing factors to this decline, including body confidence, fear of judgement, time pressures and a focus on competition over fun.
NETFIT and Sport NZ have come together to offer free online workout videos, podcasts and movement hacks that are designed to inspire and empower young women to explore different ways to be physically active.
The content consists of 15 online workouts, and six guided podcasts which are hosted by former Silver Fern turned sports commentator, Courtney Tairi.
The new collaboration has launched in time for International Women’s Day, with its theme of ‘DigitALL – innovation and technology for gender equality’.
Young women are increasingly using digital devices to access physical activity and NETFIT and Sport NZ want to celebrate the benefits of all kinds of movement, including online workouts.
Whether it’s about fun, friendship or to kick a goal – this collab celebrates girls moving - their way.
The content is available for free at www.itsmymove.org.nz and the NETFIT app.