How netball is helping Sharon thrive
9th July 2026 | 4 min readFor resident Sharon, who lives with dementia, connecting with the sport she loves is central to her active, fulfilling life.
Sharon has given plenty to netball, as a premiership winning player, coach, umpire and in her various administrative roles at her beloved Moonta Netball Club. Understanding the role netball has played in her life is enabling our Gawler Hillside Care Community team in South Australia to help Sharon settle into Care Community life.
Teaming up to help Sharon find her way
Following a diagnosis of dementia, Sharon found the transition to aged care challenging. She preferred to stay in her room and struggled to engage with team and fellow residents.
For people living with dementia, changed behaviours often stem from unmet needs. Our team met with Sharon and her family, and worked with Dementia Support Australia, who had been supporting Sharon while she lived at home. These conversations revealed the vital thread of netball throughout her life. Our team installed a hoop in one of our courtyards, after undertaking risk assessments to ensure the environment was safe for all, and gently encouraged Sharon to play.
“The change for Sharon has been wonderful to see,” says general manager, Sheralee. “As well as providing an important outlet for physical fitness and fresh air, playing netball has helped Sharon build rapport with our team and residents. While she still has difficult days, she’s much happier now.”
“She loves to play with team member Tari, who isn’t a netballer but is learning about the game through Sharon,” says wellbeing manager, Rebecca.
“Sharon was a school teacher, so coaching is in her blood. She loves sharing her tips and correcting us when our techniques aren’t up to scratch! We love seeing how content Sharon is now.”
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