The life lessons you learn from being a netball player that nothing else will teach you.

After more than 30 years of hitting the court, winding up with several nasty rolled ankles and an excruciating broken finger in 2015 (yes that did make writing difficult), I am unlikely to play netball or basketball again.

It has been a global journey – from playing for Yanchep Primary School in gold T-shirts and pleated brown skirts at netball land (Kingsley courts near Wanneroo) when the area surrounding was thick bush not houses in the early 1980s; to school teams; Saturdays in Kununurra; Lords after work in my 20s; exhibition matches in London; UK teams in the counties; the Australian Association in Hong Kong; and the fantastic Mods at Palmyra and Vixens down at Lakeside, Bibra Lake, in recent years.

Watch the ‘Rethink Role Models’ viral netball campaign below. Post continues…

Playing competitive sport has taught so much about life. Here’s the top ten lessons I’ve learned:

1.It doesn’t matter how good your defence is, if your shooters can’t convert you are never going to win. This reminds me of some clients – their factories are ship shape and products first class, but competitors (with inferior products) have out marketed and out sold them. IE scored more goals.

2. If someone is a ball hogger, the team is more vulnerable.

3. Being the prettiest doesn’t count – fitness, hard work, skill and effort does.

4. Oldies can be chocoblock with tricks and tips, and often position their bodies cleverly.

5. Young players are less likely to shine if bullied and occasionally captains and coaches need to step in to stamp out any nonsense.

6. Mostly bitching came from girls who weren’t confident or happy within themselves but, very rarely, some women just seem to be born nasty.

7. Even good women can behave badly, everyone needs to help them get back on the right track.

8. Confidence can produce miracles.

9. No place for self delusion. You can’t hide from lack of skill. If you are out of your depth, not to worry there is a place for you, at a lower division.

10. You can forgive a slower player if their hands are safe.

You can read more than 30 lessons from netball here.

This post, by CEO Cate Rocchi, was republished with permission from Perth Media. You can read the original post here.