Marlene Jones has always loved sport and was not ready to give it up just because she had retired.

The Hampshire grandmother joined u3a - the learning organisation which encourages people no longer in full-time work to come together to develop skills and socialise - to play Mah-jong, rummikub and Scrabble.

And she leapt at the chance to play netball again when she discovered the u3a had thriving Walking Netball groups too. Having not played the game since 1966, she was very keen to get back on the court.

The Hayling u3a member says: “I’ve always loved netball, and walking netball is just as good. Although there’s no way any of us could keep up with an ordinary game of netball now, don’t be mistaken in thinking that walking netball is slow.

“It’s still fast-paced and takes skill. The ball flies up and down the court pretty quickly. I’m a shooter so I'm always in goal attack or goal shoot.

“We’re not allowed to run but the game is full of energy. It’s excellent exercise.”

Each quarter lasts seven to eight minutes, as opposed to 15 minutes in an ordinary netball game.

The Walking Netball group is very well supported and all players are assured of time on the court.

Marlene adds: “As well as the physical benefits, there are the social benefits. I’ve made lots of friends and we meet outside of netball for coffee and Christmas meals. It’s great fun, there’s plenty of camaraderie and we have a real laugh. They are a great bunch of ladies.”

Marlene also belongs to the Hayling u3a long-distance walks groups which take in the glorious countryside of the South Downs once a month. It’s been a fantastic way to build up endurance for treks she takes with her daughter on the Camino de Santiago trail, in Spain.

She says: “I’ve always been quite sporty but my daughter says I’m in the best fitness of my life. I can keep up with her most of the time. That is down to the u3a.”

There is no upper or lower age limit to becoming a u3a member, you just need time to spare to enjoy the hundreds of exciting interest groups – from yoga to Egyptology. To find your nearest u3a, visit www.u3a.org.uk/join

ENDS

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