Founder of Farnborough Fires wants to encourage women from 16-60 back into sport
A new netball team has been launched in Hampshire, inviting players from 16-60 to participate.
Farnborough Fires is open to women as young as 16 and the group now has members who are over 60.
“We all play together in the various different teams and leagues and it’s just really nice to see that kind of diverseness,” founder Georgia Bloom said. “I don’t think you would ever see that anywhere else other than playing a sport like netball.”
In the UK, only seven per cent of women over 18 play team sports according to 2025 research from AXA UK.
Bloom, 49, began the Farnborough Fires to meet people in her new area, continue doing the sport she loves and to bring netball to her local community at an accessible level.
“I didn’t know anyone when I moved away from my hometown, so netball was a good way to get back into making friendships,” Bloom said. “And I would probably say that 90 per cent of my friendships now are related to netball and me playing netball.”
Bloom, who has played netball since she was a teenager, became an umpire 15 years ago. At that stage, she said she noticed a lack of coaches and umpires to support her at local matches.
With her growth mindset, Bloom applied the same logic to her local community. The club has six teams currently playing within the local league, who train during the week to prepare for matches or play in their social league. Players range from advanced to beginners and Bloom said her squad welcomed women of all abilities.
Bloom runs “Back to Netball” sessions to make it even easier for those a bit wary to try out the sport. She teaches the basic rules, positions and how to properly play before they officially join the club.
Despite playing, teaching and umpiring, Bloom said the best part of starting the club has been the connections she has made with other women. Even though she is quite competitive, having won the Bellini Cup in the Bournemouth Sevens festival tournament, creating bonds and friendships with those within her local community take the top spot.
