WORK AND PLAY…

WORK AND PLAY…

25 September 2018

Hi everyone! 😊

I decided to blog this week about netball following what was supposed to be my first match in my new team. Unfortunately the match was cancelled, after our great British weather interfered and flooded the court…so I can’t tell you how it went – we can just keep our fingers crossed the sunshine will hold out until next weekend!

Netball is a sport that I have always loved – it was a passion while I was at school, and I’m still loving it now as an ‘adult’. It’s one of those sports that has never actually felt like exercise, it’s just a game to play and have fun with, rather than a calorie counting, fat burning ordeal. I played through primary school, and then into secondary – but my teenage experience of netball was shortlived after I broke my fingers and got the hump for having to have 6 weeks out. What’s funny, on reflection, is that I wouldn’t bother stopping now for a broken finger – I think most of the team I play with have carried on through chipped bones, pulled muscles and dodgy ankles – unless you’ve drawn blood, you can carry on as long as you can hold out.

I found my love of netball again about 3 years ago, after I spotted someone needing players on Facebook – so I went for it. How bad could I be?! I vaguely remembered the rules – at least the important ones…3 seconds with the ball, position boundaries, and PIVOT!! I obviously didn’t disappoint too much, as 3 years later, I’m still playing with the same team. I’ve changed position slightly, I started off in defence as Goal Keeper – a position which requires a fair amount of leaping about, and it just wasn’t for me. I tried…but I’m just not in a body built for a good leap or even a sufficient lean. I moved into my favourite position when one of the girls left the team, I grabbed the chance while I could – and it’s where I’ve stayed – Goal Shooter. People get really nervous about shooting, a lot of the girls I play with dread the position ever coming to them – but I think it’s great. It can be a bit intense when it’s a close match, but that just adds to it – it’s not often you get to hear your heartbeat in your ears. I think England’s outstanding performance getting their gold medal in the Commonwealth Games has secured Netball a fairly strong following for years to come – Helen Housby is my netball idol for scoring that last goal under such intense pressure!

I have recently joined another team to take part in a Sunday league, which is really exciting (and a little nerve wracking!) This team is being sponsored by The Briars, which makes it really special – our kit has been coordinated to match the Practice colours, and hopefully should bring us some luck with our games! But the link between Netball and The Briars doesn’t begin and end with the creation of this new team. The link between your general health and dental health is something people are not always aware of – but your general health can both affect, and be affected by your dental health. Think of your mouth as the gateway to your body – if you have poor oral health, it may start to impact the rest of your body. I’ve always found the links between illnesses and on-going medical issues such as diabetes and heart disease really interesting – I’ve attached some links at the bottom of the page if you would like to read more about these.

For me, I find netball is not just a great way to keep fit, but also a brilliant way to make friends. If you have an opportunity to get back into a sport you once loved, or even to try out something new – go for it. The benefits to your health and general wellbeing are well worth your time and effort (just try and avoid those sugary energy drinks…!) I think it’s incredible how many more opportunities there are to keep fit now, without having to traipse to the gym. I tried a trampolining class at the beginning of the year (again, far too much leaping about for me), which really got my heart going. A friend of mine has just rekindled her love for pole fitness – she’s covered in bruises, but very toned! Aqua Zumba is also well worth a try – genuinely the most fun I’ve ever had in the swimming pool, even though it made my already questionable coordination worse. Whatever it may be, there will be a sport, or an activity that suits and excites you – it’s just a case of trial and error.

I hope you all have a lovely rest of the week – let me know if you do end up trying something new, or if you have any recommendations!

Amy x

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https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/health-risks-of-gum-disease/

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/gum-disease/how-poor-dental-care-can-affect-your-overall-health-0313