RESIDENTS of a Warrington care home are determined to live life to the full – and have formed a netball team to add to their range of activities.
The team, The Golden Oldies, from Holcroft Grange, Culcheth, has an average age of 90.
They practice their throwing, catching and shooting skills twice a week in training sessions run by the home’s activity co-ordinator and team coach Christine Carroll.
She said: “The idea for the team came about when we were doing the residents’ usual exercise session and one of our residents, Rose Page, threw the ball to me as if she was shooting it into a net.
“The residents burst into stories of how they loved playing netball and other sports when they were younger. So we set up practice and then a team.”
Despite having only practised for a few weeks the women are already exceeding expectations in ability and motivation to play.
They started practicing with floor nets, which was too easy for them, and soon moved on to taller ones more suited to their skills.
Staff have been particularly impressed by the team’s oldest member, Olive Cook, 101, who describes herself as a “netball all-rounder.”
Christine said: “The game is great exercise for the residents, and lots of fun. When I tell them it’s time to practise they get very excited, particularly Rose, who rushes off to put her trainers on.”
Team members are Phylis Halstead, 89, Nora Bryne, 91, Ivy Robinson, 89, Jean Simm, 88, Brenda Colridge, 85, Rose Page, 84 and Olive Cook, 101.
Holcroft Grange’s netball activities have also provided an opportunity for the seamstresses at the home to get involved.
Resident and former wedding dress-maker, Ethel Lee, used her sewing skills to guide fellow residents Phylis Halstead and Brenda Coleridge to make the team’s blue bibs – which have each team members’ position written on the front and back in glitter.
The Golden Oldies is encouraging residents at other CLS Care homes to organise their own teams so they can challenge them to a competition.
