LUTON REVOLUTION WOMEN’S NETBALL CLUB
The Pitch
Problem statement
The under-represented Asian women living in Luton can encounter a range of challenges leading to them not being active and feeling removed from society. Lack of activity due to isolation of hard to reach women has led to so many other factors such as being overweight, depressed, chronic illness etc. The enjoyment of playing Netball will help develop physical wellbeing and the mental health of women, educate them on fitness and enable women to feel more inclusive. It will empower these women to take control of their fitness journey. Many of these women live in wards which feature in the top 10% of most deprived areas in the UK. The club allows women of all abilities and ages to come together.
Solution
We wish to continue to play netball once a week, in a central location to support women. The funding will be spent predominantly on indoor hall hire but also help train and invest in the coaches of the future. The age range of the women playing are between 18 -50. We currently have funding which will end at the beginning of February 2025, as you can imagine if these sessions end this will have a knock-on effect on their physical and mental wellbeing. We want to continue to run a friendly safe space for women to be active and meet like minded people to help prevent future health issues. We have over 100 women wanting to play netball without the facilities to be able to when the funding ends.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
Revolution is a community initiative with lived experienced members designed to bring the focus of health, fitness and mental wellbeing at the forefront of the diversity of Luton. Lack of activity due to isolation of hard to reach Asian women has led to so many other factors such as being overweight, depression, and other issues. We have been particularly active in engaging with the female members of the BAME community who have some very distinct social, cultural and religious sensitivities which often act as a barrier to their participation in health and fitness initiatives. We are very proud to report that by engaging directly with the women we have a real understanding of their needs.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Hall Hire - 38weeks Denbigh High School Luton (£54/wk *38wks - term time) | £2,052 |
| Training (online Level 1 Netball Course £195) and First Aid (£136) | £331 |
| Equipment - 10 Netballs, 2 sets of Bibs, ball pump, stopwatches & whistles | £173 |
| Public Liability Insurance | £155 |
| Volunteer costs - £10 per session T&S, washing bibs | £380 |
| Monthly Coaching by qualified coach - £21 per session * 12 mths | £252 |
| Overheads 10% to cover marketing, finance, IT, storage. | £334 |
Beneficiaries
80 people
Who will benefit
Expected impact
The impact of this will be that the ethnic minority women get fitter and become more confident. The community feel of our club will help develop the health and wellbeing of women, educate them on fitness and enable women to feel more inclusive. It will empower these women to take control of their fitness journey by teaching them a sport that they can continue to play. The club will increase the level of fitness as it allows women of all abilities and ages to come and play together and be part of a fitness community. This will filter down to their families. Women play a pivotal part in being role models for generations to come. The qualifications for one member will allow the extension of our club to potentially running a women’s league in the future and encourage more women to become involved in coaching. The younger generation would also see role models from their community being at the centre of sports.
Track record
We have delivered over 20 weekly sessions of netball, enabling 50 plus women to come and play. We have women aged between 18 - 50 playing a sport together all from different backgrounds, some who haven't played any form of sport since they left education. We have single mums from vulnerable backgrounds that wouldn't otherwise have the funds to play. Quote from JL, 'I feel fitter, stronger and healthier. I also love the social aspect of meeting new friendly people who have common interests. I learn more about a sport that I once loved and get to pursue it as a hobby as an adult which I thought wouldn’t be possible!' Quote from AB, 'The sessions have really been life changing for me on many fronts. I suffer from anxiety and depression and having somewhere to go has made a huge difference' As a result of this community that has been created approx 20 women from this netball group have joined the Love Luton RunFest to start their running journey together which took place on 13th Oct 24