BLOOM Netball opens a social women’s club in Coventry
Women in Coventry have a new social group opening. BLOOM Netball, run by Lottie Bloom, opened in January for women who are looking to get back into netball. The group is open to those who are beginners or regular players and has an age limit of 14+.
credit: BLOOM Netball on Facebook
The company are on a mission to bring women back to netball and sports in general. The Women in Sport charity found that 43% of girls drop out of sports after primary school, and 68% of girls say they fear feeling judged by others is a barrier to doing sports. Bloom Netball’s mission is to help change this feeling so that women at girls across the country can happily play sports.
Lottie Bloom said: “Many of our players haven’t played since school and are looking for a way to get back into sport without pressure or judgement. Our league is designed to be welcoming to all abilities, whether you’re returning after years away or trying netball for the first time.”
As well as social clubs, the company also run competitive leagues across the country. These leagues are not specific to any ability, anyone can join. As women and girls have been proven to fall out of love doing sports, having a safe space that any ages can join will help the community to grow. Another club that is similar to them are Ladies Football 4 Fun, who run football sessions every week for women over 18.
credit: BLOOM Netball on Facebook
When BLOOM Netball first started out in 2014, they had multiple different sport leagues, including dodgeball, basketball, touch rugby and rounders. As the need for women seeking to return to netball grew, they established their training program. As of 2024, they have received over 20,000 participants and 1,600 active weekly teams.
During March, the Women and Equalities Committee is launching a new inquiry for routes into sport for girls and women. This inquiry will analyse the barriers facing girls and women in sports and to further the action that is being taken by the Government and public bodies.
The Chair of the WEC and Labour MP Sarah Owen said: “The Committee’s new inquiry on routes into sport for girls and women will consider coaching at all levels, sports science, volunteering or working as officials, such as referees and umpires, roles in sports club administration and governance up to Board level and working in sports journalism and broadcasting.”
Women in sports have gained a lot of popularity since the rise in fame of the England Lionesses. Since the 2022-23 football season, an analyst found that there are now twice as many registered female football teams in England. BLOOM Netball are trying to help this increase, and to keep women comfortable in taking part in sports.
“BLOOM Netball is more than just a league; it’s a supportive community where women can exercise, laugh, and feel like themselves again,” said Lottie Bloom.
Coventry is now home to BLOOM Netball’s social groups, where any woman can sign up and get back into the world of sports.