by Ilaria Biancacci
Let me just start by saying that my knowledge of netball prior to Friday could generously be described as “vague awareness involving hoops and a ball”. My knowledge of sports revolves around endurance sports – I run marathons for fun – and a past life spent pirouetting across a stage. So, when an invitation arrived to join the inaugural London derby between the London Pulse and London Mavericks, courtesy of the fantastic Edwin Doran (all thanks to a serendipitous connection forged in the glorious crucible of the Women’s Sport Collective WhatsApp chat – seriously, that chat is gold), I figured, ‘Why not broaden mine and Wempower’s horizons?’ Plus, our senior editor, Marica, needed a break from deciphering my questionable metaphors, and a sporting event seemed like a sufficiently loud distraction.
We arrived at the Copper Box Arena, buzzing with an energy I hadn’t quite anticipated. A crowd of women, from all generations and walks of life, were marching in at the rhythm of Beyonce and Taylor Swift tunes. This room was thrumming with passion, decked out in team colours, and armed with vocal cords ready for a workout. Me? I was trying to figure out the rules. Something about seven players, specific zones, and a whole lot of impressive leaping.
And then the game began.
Guys, I was hooked. Forget your gentle afternoon stroll in the park; this was athletic prowess on full display. These women were flying! The speed, the agility, the pinpoint passes – it was like watching a perfectly choreographed, high-octane ballet, only with more sweat and significantly higher stakes. I found myself instinctively ducking as the ball whizzed past and genuinely gasping at some of the gravity-defying interceptions.
Now, being a founder of a platform dedicated to empowering women, I was particularly struck by the sheer athleticism and teamwork on display. These weren’t just individual stars; they were a cohesive unit, anticipating each other’s moves, supporting each other under pressure. It was a masterclass in collaboration and, frankly, a powerful reminder of what women can achieve when given the platform and the support.
Speaking of the score, for those of you who are actual netball aficionados (unlike yours truly), London Pulse ultimately triumphed over London Mavericks with a score of 78-42. Honestly, even without knowing the intricacies of the “Super Shot” or the strategic brilliance of the “Centre Pass,” the raw excitement was infectious.
But this wasn’t just about the numbers on the board. You see, while netball is already a big deal in places like Australia and New Zealand (where they treat it with the respect it deserves!), it’s finally going pro here in the UK this summer. That’s why yesterday’s derby, broadcast on Sky Sports as part of the brilliant #FillTheCopperBox campaign by Edwin Doran, felt like a landmark moment. It wasn’t just a game; it was a celebration of the Netball Super League finally stepping into the professional arena, which is huge for growing the fanbase and, crucially, giving young girls some proper heroes to look up to. And trust me, seeing the players running to sign autographs and taking selfies, genuinely connecting with those young fans, was a world away from some of the less inspiring scenes you sometimes get in men’s football (just saying!).
As I sat courtside, I felt an incredible pride in feeling part of such an important event and campaign. My first experience in the world of professional netball was an absolute revelation. It was a reminder that the world of women’s sport is vibrant and powerful, and deserves every bit of the spotlight we can shine on it at Wempower. To Edwin Doran Association, thank you for the invitation. You’ve converted at least one slightly clueless founder into a bona fide fan. Now, if anyone can explain the offside rule to me…
Edwin Doran is the UK’s top provider of school sports tours and proud match day sponsor of one of the Netball Super League’s (NSL) most electric teams, London Pulse.
