Netball legends Pass It On

AFTER the success of last year’s This Girl Can VicHealth campaign, VicHealth declared March This Girl Can month, celebrating with events such as Pass It On at the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club.

On March 18, women across the Surf Coast were invited to a night of free entertainment and empowerment with netball legends Sharelle McMahon and Susan Meaney.

Aimee Dawson from Netball Victoria said the event was run in partnership with This Girl Can VIC and supported by Rock Up Netball, with ladies sharing their own fitness journeys.

“Torquay was another example of women inspiring women. A great group of women attending to not only hear from netball legends Sharelle and Susan, but to listen and discuss barriers we all face as women when trying to get active again,” Ms Dawson said.

“Susan Meaney spoke about never underestimating the impact you can have on those around you, and Sarah O’Dwyer from the Surf Life Saving Club, spoke about the rise of the mum’s in the water achieving their bronze medallion as traditionally it’s the fathers.”

Sharelle McMahon – who represented Australia 118 times (12 of those as captain) as a star shooter in three netball World Cups, and four Commonwealth Games – said she loved the opportunity to inspire and be inspired by other women.

“I love connecting with people in different communities through netball. I love getting people involved in netball and sport; the stories I hear and the challenges women face getting back into exercise and how they overcome them are inspiring.

“The biggest piece of advice I give to women scared about getting back into exercise is that we put so much pressure on ourselves. We build things up and make them far scarier than they actually are.

“Just have the courage to give it a go and take that first step. I hear so many stories of women sitting in carparks afraid to go inside because it’s too much but once they did it, thought it was amazing.

“The first step is the scariest but once you take that, you’re on your way. I always encourage women to support other women in sport and welcome them into a new environment.”

If you are looking at getting back into sport or interested in playing social netball Rock Up Netball Social Comp is taking place on Thursday nights at Torquay Coast Primary School YMCA. Head to rockupnetball.com.au.

On March 18, women across the Surf Coast congregated at the Torquay Surf Lifesaving Club to hear from netball legends Sharelle McMahon and Susan Meaney, as part of VicHealth’s This Girl Can month.