IT IS a fast-paced and competitive sport.

Yet for those women who played netball in their youth, there is no reason why they shouldn't pursue it or pick it up again in later years - and there is now an opportunity to do so.

Helena Russo, West Yorkshire Netball Development Officer for England Netball, explains how the idea to set up Walking Netball developed from growing demand for walking sports such as the popular walking football.

Helena explains that Walking Netball is a slower version of the game and played at a walking pace. It is designed for anyone to play regardless of their fitness level or age.

Already pilot sessions have been held in other parts of the county and now Walking Netball is on its way to West Yorkshire.

Helena explains the recent taster sessions held at the Richard Dunn sports centre, Odsal, Bradford, were to establish whether there was sufficient demand for regular sessions to be set up.

Some of the women who attended the sessions hadn't played for years. "Some hadn't played for 30 years so it was brilliant to have them back on court, really good and really encouraging."

The sessions have already been successfully piloted in other areas, including The Humber, and Helena is confident they will attract a similar interest in Bradford, particularly among those women who may have played Netball in their youth and would like to return to the sport.

Older people in particular who may have played the sport believe they aren't as fit as they used to be to play the sport again but walking netball enables them to continue playing at their pace.

Helena explains it is engaging older members of the population in the sport again or those who may have played and had to give up for a time through injury, health or pregnancy.

She says there is no age limit to who can take part - Walking Netball can be enjoyed by everyone. "They may have played it since school and really enjoyed it back then or they may have been really active and played it for decades and it is exactly the same game with a couple of tweaks to the rules. The only difference is you walk instead of running," explains Helena.

As well as keeping participants fit and active, Walking Netball is a reminder of those fond memories evoked by playing a favourite sport from their youth. It provides a social session too with the opportunity to meet new friends.

In parts of the country where sessions have already been set up it is proving a popular sport to pursue. Aside from the many healthy benefits it brings, there is also the fun, camaraderie and social aspect.

For older people in particular, a walking netball session can help to foster new friendships, especially for those who may be feeling lonely and isolated, and it can also provide a pathway back into a sport they used to pursue.

Helena says they have already received plenty of positive feedback from the pilot sessions held in other areas last year and are now keen to introduce Walking Netball to Bradford.

"It is very exciting," says Helena, who can speak from experience.

"The majority of us are netball players anyway and we didn't know what to expect but it is such great fun and it really is for everybody."

For more information email: helena.russo@englandnetball.co.uk or call 07540 126595.