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Lifeball has been deferred due to lack of a convenor...

1/3/2025

Members who selected Lifeball as a program for 2025 will be disappointed to hear that we are having to defer Lifeball until further notice due to the lack of a convenor. It will not commence on Monday 3rd March 2025.

We extend our apologies for the situation. On Enrolment Day we were hopeful that a Convenor would be found. However, no one has volunteered to be the Convenor of Lifeball, so unfortunately it cannot go ahead.

U3A Program Committee.

Lifeball, commencing 3 March, is looking for a new convenor!

2/2/2025

To avoid playing in the hot weather, Lifeball commences in March, this year on Monday 3rd March. It is held weekly from 10 to 11.30 am at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre, Ackerly Avenue.

*Lifeball is looking for a new convenor – if you are interested, please give our Course Coordinator Anne Nelson a call on 0438 447 379 or email [email protected].

We had a great turn up at our break up celebration!

9/12/2024

Happy Festive Season!

Julie McNeill

"Thank you, Marlene, for the past four years' effort"

22/11/2024

We have made it through to the end of the year, with the Christmas break up in sight! Please contact Marlene on 0407240943 for further information about lunch if needed, with acceptances due by Monday December 2nd. There will be no game on the day of the lunch, Monday 9th December, and this will be the end of our playing year.

It will also be the end of Marlene’s time as convenor. The behind the scenes role at Lifeball, with the need to keep an eye on weekly numbers, collect fees and promote the game to new players, can be considerable and we are all grateful to Marlene for the past four years’ effort.

The contribution from everyone playing, by turning up, refereeing, managing morning tea and helping with set up, has been a great part of the game, and hopefully we can continue in 2025.

Julie McNeill

'Lifeball is a great way to continue playing a team sport ...'

22/10/2024

We are managing enough numbers for a game each week, with lots of laughs along the way, but are always happy to welcome new players--come and watch us if you are thinking of playing next year! Lifeball is a great way to continue playing a team sport, and you don’t need any previous experience. We play each week at 10am at Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre in Ackerly Avenue.

Our Christmas breakup is on Monday 9th December--please contact Marlene on 0407240943 for further information, and to confirm attendance, by Monday 2nd December.

Julie McNeill

"Playing has recommenced!"

21/9/2024

With another slight delay, the group got together on Sept 16 and playing has recommenced! Numbers are looking good, but we are always happy to welcome new players. If you have ever wanted to play a fast and fun team sport, with no experience (or skill) necessary, then Lifeball may be for you.

We play on Mondays at 10am at Benalla Indoor Rec Centre, with a cuppa and chat to follow. Marlene can be contacted on 0407240943 for more information.

Julie McNeill

A slight delay - we will start play again on Monday 9 September

23/8/2024

We will have a slight delay in starting play again, and will now get together on Monday 9th September-hopefully on a warm, sunny spring day!

Lifeball is a great activity for anyone interested in a team sport-no experience needed, and we are always ready to welcome new players.

We play on Mondays at 10am at Benalla Indoor Rec Centre, and Marlene can be contacted for more information on 0407240943.

Julie McNeill

'A suspension of play until Monday 2nd September'

22/7/2024

With winter well and truly taking hold, and Covid taking hold of at least one of us, we are going to suspend play until Monday 2nd September. Apologies to everyone who has layered up, braved the cold and come along-we’ll see you all in the spring!

Julie McNeill

Calendar update - there will be no Lifeball on Monday 15 July...

9/7/2024

"Just an update for the calendar--there will be no Lifeball on Monday 15/7, and we’ll play next on Monday 22/7. I’m emailing to let everyone know"

Julie McNeill

Warm up on Monday mornings when temperatures plunge!

23/6/2024

With plunging winter temperatures, and the loss of a few players sensibly travelling north, we are taking week by week decisions on playing through the winter. Numbers are still enough for a good fast game, but everyone is asked to check in with the convenors if in doubt.

Terrific time lapse photos taken by Rene Martnes in January - Thanks Rene!

Lifeball is a team game played each Monday at 10am at Benalla Indoor Rec Centre. Convenors Marlene, and Julie (for winter) can be contacted on 0407240943, and 0407823031 for more information.

Julie McNeill

"Half-court games certainly test our concentration and stamina!"

24/5/2024

A few less players this month has meant a return to half court games, which certainly test our concentration and stamina--that ball comes back so quickly!

We are looking at numbers for playing through winter, which we didn’t do last year-an active game is a great way to warm up, as is the hot coffee afterwards.

Lifeball is a team ballgame played every Monday at 10am at the Indoor Rec Centre, and suits any skill level-contact Marlene on 0407240943 for more information.

Julie McNeill

"It is great to see everyone enjoying the game"

22/4/2024

We are still enjoying having enough players to use the whole court, although the full court game does seem to require greater concentration, and as always there are some fast and furious moments! Lots of laughter as well and it is great to see everyone enjoying the game.

Marlene has recently been involved in discussions with another U3A interested in Walking Netball, but for us, Lifeball offers a better mix of skills.

We play at 10am each Monday at Benalla Indoor Rec Centre in Ackerly Avenue, and welcome players and watchers. For more information, contact Marlene on 0407240943.

Julie McNeill

"We are always happy to welcome players or watchers"

18/3/2024

It takes some of us a couple of years to learn the rules, but luckily our new players have been able to jump into the game and make sense of the activity on the court, and it has been great to be able to rotate players in the continuing warm weather. Our new fans have been invaluable too, with a succession of warm Monday mornings.

We play at 10am each Monday at Benalla Indoor Rec Centre, and are always happy to welcome players or watchers. Lifeball is a great team game, even if you’ve never played sport before, and coordinator Marlene is always available on 0407240943.

Julie McNeill

"It is so heartening to see our enrolments this year"

24/2/2024

And our numbers continue to increase! It is so heartening to see our enrolments this year, with numbers now at seventeen. It has meant a return to playing on a full court ( and remembering the rules!), as well as the chance to rotate players in the recent warmer weather. Along with the new industrial fans provided by the Rec Centre, and plenty of breaks for drinks, it makes an enjoyable game for everyone.

Photographs - Rene Martens

We play every Monday at Benalla Indoor Rec Centre at 10am. If you think you’d like to try a modified walking netball/basketball, give coordinator Marlene a call on 0407240943.

Julie McNeill

We are looking forward to an active year...

28/1/2024

With a record breaking sixteen players at our latest game, we are looking forward to an active year, and it is great to be able to take time out as needed, especially on the warmer days. The increased numbers have provided a bit of discussion about the rules, as we return to playing a full court--but it’s a discussion we’re happy to have!

Lifeball is a modified walking version of netball/basketball. It is a great game for those who’ve always enjoyed team sports, and even those who haven’t. We play every Monday at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre in Ackerly Avenue, and follow the game with a cuppa, some post-match analysis and some laughs. If you would like to come and try, or watch, coordinator Marlene Pitts is happy to hear from you on 0407240943.

Julie McNeill

Captured - a half court game with 'our female contingent'

9/12/2023

It has been great to welcome some new players!

22/11/2023

It has been great to welcome some new players following our morning at the Lakeside market, and a story in the Ensign. Of course, we are always ready to welcome more and encourage anyone interested to contact Marlene on 0428 210 944. We play weekly at the Indoor Rec Centre in Ackerley Avenue on Mondays at 10am, with our final game for the year on Monday 27th November. We return on Monday 15th January for another active year!

Our Christmas break up will be on Monday 4th December at 10am at the Hub Cafe, Winton Wetlands. This is our final get together for the year and there will be no game that day--please confirm with Marlene if you haven’t already done so. Car-pooling will be available.

Julie McNeill

The games have been fast and furious!

28/10/2023

The games have been fast and furious and only slightly impacted by the flood repairs to the Indoor Recreation Centre, as court 3 is still available to us. However, with workmen coming and going, keep an eye on your inboxes for any updates from Marlene, as things can change. In the meantime, we play on!

Lifeball is played weekly at Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre at 10am on Mondays. New players who would like to try out a team sport are always welcome and can contact convenor Marlene on 0428210944 for more information.

Julie McNeill

BIRC and flooding - check emails or contact Marlene for updates

6/10/2023

The Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre has been closed for the duration while they check out flooding. Please check your emails - Marlene is updating the existing group as news come in. If you haven't heard news, please contact Marlene on 0428 210 944 for an update for Monday?

Julie McNeill

'With the return of our travellers ...the game was, as always, great fun!"

22/9/2023

With the return of our travellers, we were again able to play a full court game. Having had a mixture of half and full court games over the year, as numbers fluctuated, there was quite a bit of laughter as we tried to get the rules straight, and the game was, as always, great fun.

A fun photo from the Archives, December 2021

Lifeball is played weekly at Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre at 10 am Mondays. It is a modified game for anyone who has enjoyed netball or basketball in the past, or who would just like to stay fit in a team sport. No skills or experience are needed! Convenor Marlene can be contacted on 0428210944 for more information.

Julie McNeill

"Lots of laughs and no experience needed!"

20/8/2023

We’ll be back on court after our winter recess, on Monday 4th September at 10am.

We play weekly at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre, in a game of modified basketball-lots of laughs and no experience needed, and we always conclude with coffee and a chat.

New players are always welcome, and convenor Marlene can be contacted on 0428210944 for more information.

Julie McNeill

July - "Lifeball continues its winter recess ..."

30/7/2023

Lifeball continues its winter recess, with a return to play on Monday September 4th. When the mornings are not so frosty, we play weekly at 10am at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre.

New players who would like to try this modified basketball game are always welcome, and convenor Marlene can be contacted on 0428210944 for more information.

Julie McNeill

"We'll be back on court, energised and refreshed, in September"

23/6/2023

It was great to see everyone come along for a final game before our winter recess-we wish our travellers well, and will be back on court, energised and refreshed (and warmer) on Monday September 4th.

Lifeball is played weekly at 10am at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre.It’s a great team sport, and anyone interested in joining us in September is encouraged to call Marlene on 0428210944 for more information.

Julie McNeill

Weekly games continue to be a source of laughter and active play! Also, news of our upcoming winter recess...

24/5/2023

Our weekly games continue to be a source of much laughter with some great game strategies on display, and some very active play in the chilly stadium. Numbers have continued steady but with the onset of the cold weather, we have decided on a winter recess,as people plan to travel. Our last game for now will be on Monday 12th June, with a return date of Monday 4th September.

Lifeball is a great way to continue enjoying team sports, and we always welcome new players.Convenor Marlene Pitts can be contacted on 0428210944 for more information.

Julie McNeill

We are always happy to see new interest in the game!

23/4/2023

Our numbers continue to remain steady enough that we can count on a fun and challenging game each week, although sometimes (rovers, anyone?) our concentration is tested!

While we can adapt the game to the number of players each week, we are always happy to see new interest in the game, which is a great way to continue enjoying a team sport in a safe environment.

We play at Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre each Monday at 10am, and convenor Marlene Pitts can be contacted on 0428210944 for more information.

Julie McNeill

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About Lifeball

Missing team sports? Looking for a different way to keep fit? Lifeball might be what you're looking for. It's a game adapted from basketball which suits all ages and abilities, and is great for balance and coordination - no experience necessary! We're a competitive group who get plenty of laughs from playing, and always finish up with a cuppa and a discussion of the finer points of the game. There is a small weekly game fee. New players are always welcome to drop in and see us in action. .

Meeting times

Every Monday
Starts in March
10 am - 11.30 am

Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre, Ackerley Avenue

Convenor 2025

To Be Advised

Retiring Convenor - Thank you, Marlene!

Marlene Pitts
0428 210 944

Newsletter Correspondent

Julie McNeill 0407823031

Find out more about Lifeball

Lifeball Australia

'Fun and Friendship with Lifeball' video

Lifeball Videos