How to Stay Connected During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Many countries around the world are implementing measures such as social distancing and the closure of public facilities to halt the spread of COVID-19. As a result, millions are facing isolation and little face-to-face human contact. Having good friends, family and support systems around you plays an important part in our wellbeing, and for netballers, we also know the importance of being part of a team. It’s vital now more than ever that we stay connected (whilst practicing social distancing).
Here are a few ways you can stay connected:
Virtual Meet Up with Friends and Family
Thanks to the likes of Zoom, Google Hangouts and video calls, it’s easy to connect with friends and family over the internet. These apps enable you to have one-to-one or group calls with anyone from around the world, at any time, in the comfort of your own home.
Staying connected is not only important for your own wellbeing, but it can also support others. With extra time on our hands, now is the perfect opportunity to check-in on those that matter most to you. Reach out to that friend you’ve meaning to catch up with, organise a family call or simply brighten someone’s day.
Team Session
Your netball team is like a second family and with the closure of sports centres and public facilities, it may seem like forever since you were all working up a sweat together on the court. The good news is that you can still stay connected and work as a team off the court. Organise a virtual team training session or simply catch-up with what everyone has been getting up to. Search the hashtag #NetballFamily on social media for ideas on team sessions whilst staying at home.
Activities
If you’re getting bored of isolation or itching for the next thing to do, why not take part in online activities? Apps such as Instagram and Houseparty have games you can play by yourself or with others, including trivia and virtual quizzes. You can also take part in a #StayAtHomeChallenge and create a TikTok whilst you’re at it.
The #NetballFamily have been coming together to share their photos and videos across social media of netball activities you can do at home – some have even included pets. Netball Australia and Netball New Zealand have partnered with NETFIT to bring you fitness programmes and England Netball has been streaming their officiating net-fix programme on Facebook every week.
Watch Party
Every Monday, Sky Netball UK are showing matches from the Netball World Cup 2019 on their YouTube channel. Connect with others as you watch using the hashtag #ReliveNWC on Twitter.
Join your teammates for a watch party as you all come together virtually to watch a programme or movie at the same time. Silver Ferns mini-series, ‘Pure As’, is perfect for avid netball fans. Or, if you fancy something more relaxed, we’re sure there’s something for everyone on Netflix, Amazon Prime or Hay-U.
Talk
Most importantly, we want to remind you that it is ok to feel a range of emotions during this time and that you don’t have to struggle with any difficult feelings alone. We encourage you to talk to someone you trust and let them know what’s going on and how you feel.
We also encourage you to look out for those who may be struggling and offer help, support and advice. Remember, nobody should suffer in silence.
When it comes to COVID-19 we are all in this together. Even if it’s weeks or months until our day-to-day lives resume normal routine, we are confident that the #NetballFamily will come out stronger than ever before.
Stay connected, stay safe and #StayAtHome.
INF Secretariat on their daily zoom meeting supporting the White Card campaign last month.
