Mums across Portsmouth are encouraged to come together to get active at weekly Mums & Tots Netball sessions hosted at Wimbledon Park Sports Centre.

Delivered by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live, the sessions are run in partnership with Netball In The Community. These sessions are designed to be accessible to women of all ages, including those who are pregnant or have children, to create a welcoming environment for mums to stay active, connect with others, and have fun.

Recent research by Sport England has shown that more men do sport and physical activity than women in almost every age group, with 4 in 10 women not active enough to ensure they get the full health benefits*. Created in 2023, the Mums & Tots Netball sessions welcomed more than 200 participants across 2024.

Welcoming women of all ages and abilities, groups are kept small with specially trained staff to ensure that every session is both fun and safe. Mums are encouraged to exercise at their own pace, with a variety of low-impact movements that are gentle yet effective. These include training drills, buggy-friendly warm-ups, and non-contact free-play matches—perfect for mothers who want to stay active while bonding with their little ones. Little ones are welcome to join in on the fun too.

The sessions are open to women in all stages of early motherhood, including those who are pregnant**; women who are post-partum; and women with young children. First sessions are free for newcomers – simply turn up – with future sessions costing just £3.50 on a pay-as-you-go basis. Participants can book their places online at bhliveactive.org.uk or via the BH Live Active app.

More information about the sessions can be found at bhliveactive.org.uk/health-and-wellbeing-activities.

Wimbledon Park Sports Centre is owned by Portsmouth City Council and operated in partnership with BH Live.

On behalf of BH Live, Carla Earle, Community Sports Manager for Portsmouth, shared;

“Since launching our Mums & Tots Netball sessions, we’ve provided an inclusive and welcoming space for mums, both during pregnancy and after childbirth, to engage in netball. These sessions offer a fun, accessible way to stay active, while also fostering a sense of community among mums and their little ones. Thanks to our ongoing partnership with Netball in the Community, we’re working to remove social and financial barriers, ensuring that women at all stages of motherhood have the opportunity to get involved, build confidence, and maintain a healthy lifestyle through the sport.’’

As well as assisting in the delivery of Mums & Tots Netball sessions at the Mountbatten Leisure Centre, Netball In The Community also helps to deliver Walking Netball sessions for visitors aged 50+ or for people recovering from long-term health conditions or injuries at the centre. The initiative also delivers specially tailored sessions for local community groups, festivals, and workplaces.

On behalf of Netball in the Community, Debbie Laycock, Owner and Founder, shared;

“I’ve learnt a lot working with BH Live and the BH Live Active team to continue the mission of Netball In The Community – to make netball more accessible for residents across Portsmouth. We hope that the continuation of these sessions will enable more mums across the city to take time for themselves and connect with the joys and benefits of this sport, without the need for childcare.’’

Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure & Sport added:

“It’s fantastic to hear women in the early stages of motherhood are being encouraged to stay active in a safe environment. We know some women can find it difficult to have any time to prioritise their physical health and we are thrilled this opportunity is available.

We have an excellent partnership with BH Live and as a council we work hard to support and encourage healthy lifestyles for our residents. Thank you to BH Live and Netball in the Community.”

For more information about Netball In The Community visit netballinthecommunity.com.

For more information about Wimbledon Park Sports Centre visit bhliveactive.org.uk/wimbledon-park.