Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Sarah Wall. I am mother to Elle, wife, daughter, and Founder of NETFIT Netball. 

I was lucky enough to have my dream job playing elite netball for 12 years. In and out of contracts, through injury and not being selected, I never regretted a day I got to live my dream. l always wanted to look back on my netball career and be proud that I gave my absolute best.

I learnt most about myself through the failures, which is what helped me build a strong awareness of my strengths and weaknesses. It’s when I looked most deeply inward and when I was forced to rebuild my ‘life plan’ on many occasions. 

Of course, I wanted to be an elite netballer for the rest of my life, but I started to re-evaluate what my purpose really was and I reconsidered what kind life I wanted to live. I needed to look to where my life was headed in 5,10 and 20 years time, and how I could determine that on my own terms.  So I created NETFIT.

With my Exercise Science and Bachelor of Education Degrees, I decided to combine my love of teaching and netball, and dive into an area of the game no-one had really developed. 

I wanted to create a safe place for anyone who was a netball enthusiast, to get physically and digitally involved; to learn, laugh and connect with a community that stood for something more empowering than just ‘sport’. I saw a need for growing the game of Netball ‘off court’ and giving women more opportunities and resources to build their health and happiness whenever and wherever they wanted. I still remember the first hashtag I used was #healthynetball. I have always been a believer that women’s confidence can grow if they prioritise their health and fitness. It brings strength, resilience and an inner glow that pours outward into the world.  

NETFIT is now 11 years old and The NETFIT App reaches over 48 different countries around the world. We have also just expanded our physical programs from Australia into New Zealand. Our team are just getting started! And I am still pitching myself at what we have created.

Did you continue playing sport after you became a mother?

Elle is now 8 months old and I still haven’t taken the court to play a game. However, I am courtside multiple times a week through NETFIT, as I build for my comeback game.

At the moment I manage 45 minutes of movement a day. That varies between walking, a light stretch or home workouts.  I do this daily because my body and mind crave it! I always feel like my most clear and confident self after I get some fresh air or my heart pumping. I was very, very slow to return to exercise post birth, and even now, I have no desire to rush to return to peak fitness. I am just happy that I am slowly making progress. 

Why do you think continuing to play or being involved in sports is important for mothers?

If there is a way you can be around like minded people- I think do it! It may not be sport, it could be a different element of physical activity with a mothers group at the park or a weekly swim at a surf club.

The main reason I really want to be back playing Netball or coaching is to be involved in a community that takes care of each other. Your community knows if you show up  each week (and checks on you if you don’t)! They are also there to lend a helping hand if anyone ever needs it.

I have really identified that being around my NETFIT community is what makes me happy and I think Elle can feel my energy too. When we interact with others, she really beams too!  She is now clapping, crawling and wiggling thanks to the help of our Netfitters.

What advice would you give first time mothers?

Be unapologetically the mother you want to be. You will be given unwanted advice and be exposed to “perfect lives” on social media, which can have a detrimental impact unless you stay true to yourself about how you want to be a mum.

When you begin motherhood, trust yourself and ask for help if you need it. Build your community of trusted people around you that have shared values of how you want to nurture your family. This trust and understanding is the basis for any supportive network. 

It wouldn't be wise for me to tell you about my choices mothering Elle; the products I use and the methods I adopt, as all of our lifestyles and responsibilities are completely different. There will never be one correct piece of advice for everyone. 

What I will share is that some experiences that bring Elle and I joy come from many techniques I learnt though elite netball at my happiest. I would then, and do now; breathe, smile, have fun, put myself in a bubble to block out unwanted noise and play in the moment. And that’s what I do with Elle. Those skills are completely transferable and real. Taking each day/game at a time and enjoying each day/game at a time can really help to make the ordinary in each day, extraordinary.  

What is your netball shoe of choice:

My shoe of choice would be the Netburner Ballistic FF 3.