Freya Active Aims to Get 2012 Women Back To Netball
Despite being ready to host the largest sporting occasion it has ever seen, it appears many women in the UK have lost their sporting spirit. This comes after research reveals over 338,000 women across the country no longer play any sport at all.
Prior to 2009 sports regularly participated included athletics, netball, hockey, running and tennis, however over the past 3 years the number of women playing different sports has severely diminished. Interestingly, areas of the UK where the most women have stopped playing include the East Midlands and the South East, where 64, 000 and 17,200 fewer women no longer participate in any sport. Other areas such as London and Newcastle have seen 29% less women playing sport since 2008.
Research reveals confidence has become a big barrier to activity, and women’s self esteem about playing sport has lowered. Other reasons for women not playing include their lack of interest to do it on their own and not knowing about the opportunity to play. Additionally women have also suggested they struggle to afford the cost and dedicate the time typically needed to play which is 30 minutes 3 times a week.
So what options are there for women out there to reconnect and reignite their love of playing sport? Interestingly, one of the only sports women have remained loyal to in the UK is netball and with this in mind Freya Active has launched a nationwide campaign to re-engage women with sport, and get 2012 women ‘Back to Netball’ in 2012.
Netball, a sport nostalgic for much of the UK female population has seen a 15% rise over the past 3 years in the number of women taking part. ‘Back to Netball’ provides women with a gentle reintroduction to netball, encouraging all those who are no longer playing a sport, to get active again. Open to women of all ages, ‘Back to Netball’ is perfect for those looking to get fit but want to avoid paying high gym fees. A great way to socialise with others, Back to Netball is perfect for those looking for an hour of fun exercise with sessions at different times throughout the day and start from as little as £2.
Over the next 3 months, Freya Active will be supporting England Netball’s Back to Netball 2012 Roadshow promoting the sportacross the country at a number of different regional Olympic events as well as the Hyde Park and Victoria Park London Live events. To find a Back to Netball session near you visit www.englandnetball.co.uk/my-game/back-to-netball.
Ann Marie Manley, from Freya Active said: “With so much excitement building up around sport this year, it is surprising that so many women have stopped playing or taking part in sport. We’ve launched the get 2012 women ‘Back to Netball’ in 2012 campaign to try and win women’s love of sport back. It’s about the only sport which women haven’t dropped and there is a reason for that!” .
Joanna Adams from England Netball said: “Netball isfun and energetic and is the perfect sport to pick up quickly again. People don’t realise how fit netball keeps you, you’ve got to be incredibly quick and just one hour burns off a lot of calories!
Throwing and shooting during netball helps to strengthen your biceps and triceps, giving you more toned and healthy looking arms.
Running and jumping during netball you are activating a number of leg muscles, giving your quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocnemius (calf muscles) movement which will help to create more slender and perfect looking legs.
*Research provided by Sport England survey and England Netball from 2008.
For more information about Freya Active please email press@eveden.com or visit www.freyalingerie.com