Sadly, the ongoing rain and flooding of parts of Benalla meant that we have been unable to return to the Indoor Recreation Centre, and will need to wait for the all-clear from Council in the New Year.This has affected all groups using the Centre. We did, however, enjoy a lively morning tea to celebrate making it through 2022, and thank Marlene for organising, and for much laughter as we shared some “secrets” about ourselves.

Lifeball is a team sport based on basketball, suited to any fitness level, and played weekly on Mondays. The newsletter will be updated about our return date, and Marlene can also be contacted on 0428210944.

​Julie McNeill 

Just as we were warming up and welcoming back our travellers, we had the news that the Indoor Rec Centre is closed pending assessment after the town’s recent flooding. Luckily we did manage a couple of games in October before this happened, and hopefully there will be more games before we break for Christmas.

In the meantime, we have decided on a return date of 14th November, so that all necessary safety checks,including the effect on flooring, can be completed.
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For new and returning players, we meet at 10am weekly at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre.Coordinator Marlene Pitts is available on 0407240943, and will keep current players updated by email of any changes.

Julie McNeill

Ten players celebrated the end of our winter recess on 19th September with an enthusiastic half court game. Numbers should increase over the next couple of weeks, but having the flexibility to play full or half court is a bonus--provided we can remember the slightly different rules!

New players are always welcome- Lifeball is a great way to continue to play a team sport, and is great for coordination and stamina.Our games are scheduled weekly at 10am Mondays at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre.

Coordinator Marlene Pitts can be contacted on 0407240943 for more details.  Also, until numbers settle down, it would be really helpful if members could confirm their attendance  before each weekly session with Marlene.  


​Julie McNeill

Our winter recess is continuing slightly longer than anticipated as numbers remain low, but we are sure to return in the spring! At this stage, despite a couple of attempts, we have not been able to set a date, but with the return of travellers from warmer states, we are hopeful of mustering a full team. Watch this space! Rupert has extended a welcome from Wangaratta Lifeball in the meantime--contact Marlene for details.
 
Our games are scheduled at 10am Mondays at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre, and provide a great way to continue playing a team sport.  Coordinator Marlene Pitts on 0407240943 can provide details, and will also keep players updated on return dates.

Julie McNeill

​With falling numbers, freezing temperatures and ever-increasing layers of clothes needed to stay warm on court, we decided it was time for a winter recess, as people are travelling, and we are also thinking Covid numbers are a bit too high for safety just now.   We will be back on court on Monday 5th September, hopefully fit and refreshed.
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Lifeball is a great game for people who’ve always enjoyed team sports, and even those who haven’t.  We play every Monday 10am at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre, and follow the game with a warming cuppa, some post-match analysis, and some laughs. If you would like to come and try, or come and watch, coordinator Marlene Pitts is happy to hear from you on 0407240943.

Regular players are also asked to let Marlene know of absences.


​Julie McNeill

Our games continue to fluctuate between full and half court, as we adjust to varying numbers with the colder weather.  Luckily, Lifeball is an adaptable game and we continue to manage some great exercise and some laughs.

​If you’ve always enjoyed team sports, or even if you’ve never been involved in any, come and join us--we play a walking pace ballgame weekly at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre, with a warming cuppa, biscuit and chat afterwards.

Coordinator Marlene Pitts is available for further information on 0407240943, or come along at 10am Mondays.

Players are also asked to advise Marlene if they will be away.


Julie McNeill

Some chilly mornings are making it harder to focus on fitness, but luckily a few minutes on the court warms us up. If you’ve always enjoyed team sports, come and try Lifeball. It’s a walking pace ballgame played weekly at the Benalla Indoor  Recreation Centre, with a warming cuppa and biscuit afterwards.

A fun and safe way to maintain fitness, we’re always happy to see new players--contact coordinator Marlene Pitts on 0407240943, or come along at 10am Mondays.  Players are also asked to advise Marlene if they will be away.

Please note that there will not be a Lifeball session on the Queen's Birthday Public Holiday on Monday 13th June.

Julie McNeill

So many public holidays on a Monday! We have enjoyed the games we have had this month, but Easter, Anzac Day and the temptation to travel in the lovely autumn weather have made their mark.

Luckily, we’re an enthusiastic group, and will be back on court on May 2nd at 10 am.

Lifeball is a walking pace ballgame played weekly at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre, and is great for anyone who enjoys team sports, as well as being a fun and safe way to maintain fitness.

Coordinator Marlene Pitts is happy to provide more information on 0407240943. Players are also asked to advise Marlene if they will be away
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Julie McNeill

It has been great to see our numbers staying steady, although we’re always happy to welcome new faces--those half court games can be intense! Lifeball is played weekly at 10am at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre, and is a great game for people looking for a team sport. A walking pace ballgame, it’s a safe and interesting way to maintain fitness.

To keep track of each week’s numbers, players are asked to contact Marlene on 0407240943 if they will be away.
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Julie McNeill

Our minds were stretching as much as our bodies as we returned to play on Feb 14th, as we focussed on a fast and funny half court game. It has been great to be back, and also to welcome some new players!

We are always happy to welcome more - Lifeball is a walking pace ballgame, suited to any level of skill, and we play weekly at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre at 10am Mondays.It is great fun, and great exercise.

To keep track of each week’s numbers, players are asked to let Marlene know on 0407240943 if they will be away. 

​Julie McNeill

The best laid plans….our scheduled, and much anticipated-return to play on January 17th was delayed as Omicron took hold of the virus numbers.

We now have a revised start date of Monday 14th February, which will hopefully give players time to organise booster shots.

New and continuing players are asked to contact Marlene Pitts on 0407240943 or Julie McNeill on 0407823031 if there is any uncertainty-we have had a few hiccups this past fortnight but are now back on track-thank you, everyone!

Lifeball is a walking pace ballgame, suited to any level of skill, played weekly at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre at 10am each Monday. It is great fun, and great exercise..

Players both new and returning are reminded to complete enrolment before beginning-forms can be left at Redb4 bookshop.
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Julie McNeill

From signing in...

to warm ups... (slide show)

then... 'Let the game begin!'.... (slide show)

And of course... a group photo.... (instead of saying cheese.... say 'Lifeball'!)

Post script:  Unfortunately Julie McNeill, who writes the newsletter reports and sends in photos for the website wasn't present on the day I visited, hoping to include her in the photographs.  Next year, Julie!  Thank you so much or being the group's newsletter correspondent!  Thanks also to the wonderful Life Ball group for allowing me take this 'photo shoot' of such a happy session.

Bev Lee
Media Team 

Our Christmas celebration was a great success, with the Recreation Centre taking on a party atmosphere, and the caterers doing a fast and efficient Christmas lunch for us after our game. It was great to be able to relax and review what has been an interesting and challenging year for us all - our thanks to Marlene and Jan, especially, for organising lunch, and to everyone for games, jokes and cleaning up!

We will return to playing on Monday 17th January at 10am. New and continuing players can contact convenor Marlene Pitts on 0407240943 for further information. Lifeball is a walking pace ballgame, played weekly at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre, and suited to any level of skill, with a lot of laughs along the way!

​Julie McNeill

With the return of indoor community sport on 21st October we were finally able to dust ourselves off, mentally and physically, and return to the court. Much laughter was heard as we stretched unused muscles, and tried to focus attention on where the ball was!

It was great to see such a good turnout and we hope to sharpen our skills in the weeks left before Christmas. As always, new players are welcome to come and join us- Lifeball is a walking pace game suitable for any skill level, and is tremendous fun. We play at 10am Mondays at the Indoor Recreation Centre-for further information please contact convenor Marlene Pitts on 0407240943.
 
Players are reminded that they must be double vaxed as per general U3A policy.

​Julie McNeill

​Sadly, even with the easing of regional restrictions after lockdown this month, we were still unable to return to the court. Hopefully the return of indoor community sport outlined in the roadmap will go ahead as planned, and we will manage to get a few games in before Christmas!
 
With a (covidsafe) picnic to celebrate a milestone birthday for one of our players, we have kept our spirits up. Anyone needing to confirm the return to playing, or to talk about joining, can contact convenor Marlene Pitts on 0407240943.
 
We anticipate returning on Monday 25th October, 10am at Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre.  As the roadmap gives a date of 26th October, however, members are asked to check beforehand with Marlene.
 
Julie McNeill

In and out of lockdown we went for the month, with players showing remarkable determination to keep attending and enjoying the game!  While we are temporarily on hold with the latest lockdown, we will be straight back on the court once allowed.  We welcome new players, who can check with convenor Marlene Pitts on 0407240943 to confirm dates.

Playing on Monday mornings at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre, Lifeball offers a little bit of competition and a lot of laughs, and is a great way to increase fitness.

​Julie McNeill

The month started well, with a good turnout of players despite the frosty mornings, some lively games, and an enjoyable morning tea for a member moving interstate. Unfortunately Covid restrictions have now kept us off the court, but we will hope for a speedy return.

Lifeball is a walking pace ball game, and a fun, safe and active way to keep fit with lots of laughs. We welcome new players-please check in with convenor Marlene Pitts on 0407240943, with games played Mondays 10-11am at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre.

​Julie McNeill

​Once again we juggled the requirements of lockdown and QR codes to manage some enjoyable half and full court games. It was great to see the numbers returning, and players enjoyed the chance to warm up on some very frosty mornings.
 
Lifeball is a walking pace ball game, and a fun, safe and active way to keep fit, with lots of laughs. We welcome new players, and convenor Marlene Pitts is available on 0407240943.

New players are asked to check dates with Marlene for July, as several members will be escaping-COVID and lockdowns permitting-for some northern sun.

​Julie McNeill

Mother’s Day and other family commitments lead to some reduced numbers earlier in the
month, and the group responded by playing some fast and furious half court games, which
seemed to take a lot more concentration than usual!

We were very happy to see a return of many members and enjoyed going back to our usual full
court game, and the chance to stand back occasionally and watch play at the other end of the
court.

Anyone interested in playing is welcome to come and watch a game on Mondays at 10am. It’s a
fun, safe and active way to keep fit-no previous skill or experience needed! Convenor Marlene
Pitts 0407240943 is happy to talk through any questions.

​Julie McNeill

Lifeballers this month worked on their game skills under the watchful eye of experienced player, umpire and roving Lifeball ambassador,Rupe Cheetham. We were pleased to hear Rupe’s support and encouragement,and also happy to find our skills are competitive with other clubs. Hopefully as we improve, there will be a return to some Fun and Friendship days with other regional clubs, where we can compete in mixed teams.

We have welcomed a couple of new players and look forward to maintaining numbers through the quieter winter months. Remember, if you can walk, you can play Lifeball- it’s a fun,safe and active way of keeping fit, with a lot of laughter thrown in.

Anyone interested is welcome to come and watch a game on Mondays at 10am.Convenors Marlene Pitts 0407240943, and Julie McNeill 0407823031 are also happy to talk through any questions.

​Julie McNeill

​​Lifeball
Mondays, weekly, 10am-11.30am
Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre, Ackerley Ave

​After a year off the courts, Lifeball has returned with renewed energy and new convenors. Thanks go to previous convenor  Max Powell and other players for holding it all together while we did our time in lockdown.
 
There is a lot of laughter on and off the court as we refresh our game strategies. Lifeball is a game for anyone who has ever enjoyed team sport, and for those who have never played any sport at all. If you can walk, you can play--the game is designed as a fun, but safe and active way of keeping fit, and is great for concentration.

We’d love to see some new players,and anyone interested is welcome to come and watch a game on Mondays at 10am.  Convenors, Marlene Pitts 0407240943 and Julie McNeill 0407823031 are also happy to talk through any questions.  All you need are safe, non slip shoes, so give it a go!
 
Julie McNeill
 

Lifeball is a game adapted from basketball which is suitable for all ages and abilities and has regular and enthusiastic participants.  For those who think that competitive sport is now beyond you this is the game for you. 

Lifeball sessions recommenced in mid January, however it is not too late to join in.  Monday mornings from 10am to 11.30 am, Benalla Leisure Centre, Ackerley Avenue.

Max Powell  0423 525 565