From Mental Fitness Sessions to League Competition: The Legacy of HITG’s Larkfield Netball Programme

9th September 2026

The conclusion of a funded programme does not have to mean the end of the friendships, confidence and community created through it. That has certainly been the case following Head In The Game’s year-long women’s netball programme at Larkfield Leisure Centre.

Delivered in partnership with TM Active between July 2025 and July 2026, the programme brought together around 25 women from Maidstone & Malling and the surrounding areas for weekly netball and mental fitness sessions. Through a combination of physical activity, conversation and peer support, the programme helped participants improve their mental and physical fitness, build confidence and form meaningful friendships, with the overarching aim of helping to prevent suicide.

Many of the women had previously played netball but had stepped away from the sport because of work, family commitments or other pressures in their lives. The programme gave them an accessible and supportive route back into a game they once enjoyed, without the pressure or expectations that can sometimes prevent people from getting involved.

Although Head In The Game’s funded delivery has now finished, the legacy of the programme continues. Volunteers and participants have come together to establish their own netball team, Shooting Stars HITG, which now competes every Monday evening in the local Kings Hill league. The team recently secured its first league points an important milestone that demonstrates just how far the group has come.

The success of Shooting Stars HITG represents everything Head In The Game hopes to achieve through its programmes. The women are continuing to be physically active, but more importantly, they have retained the friendships, teamwork and sense of belonging developed during the original sessions.

Playing competitively gives the group a shared purpose and something positive to work towards each week. It allows participants to support one another, celebrate achievements together and maintain the social connections that are so important to good mental fitness.

Louisa Pinkney, one of the programme’s volunteers, said:

“It is fantastic that the women are still coming together each week to talk, support one another and, most importantly, continue playing netball. The creation of Shooting Stars HITG is a real testament to the journey they have been on and the friendships and confidence they have developed along the way. Seeing them now competing together and enjoying the sport as a team makes us incredibly happy.”

We are incredibly proud that the participants and volunteers have taken ownership of what was created and ensured that it continues beyond the original funding period. Shooting Stars HITG is more than a netball team—it is a lasting community built through sport, friendship and mutual support.

We would like to thank TM Active, all the volunteers who helped deliver the programme and every participant who took part. We wish Shooting Stars HITG the very best for the rest of the season and look forward to following their progress.