Mums across Portsmouth are encouraged to come together to get active at weekly Mums & Tots Netball sessions hosted at Wimbledon Park Sports Centre.
Delivered by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live, the sessions are run in partnership with Netball In The Community. These sessions are designed to be accessible to women of all ages, including those who are pregnant or have children, to create a welcoming environment for mums to stay active, connect with others, and have fun.
Recent research by Sport England has shown that more men do sport and physical activity than women in almost every age group, with 4 in 10 women not active enough to ensure they get the full health benefits*. Created in 2023, the Mums & Tots Netball sessions welcomed more than 200 participants across 2024.
Welcoming women of all ages and abilities, groups are kept small with specially trained staff to ensure that every session is both fun and safe. Mums are encouraged to exercise at their own pace, with a variety of low-impact movements that are gentle yet effective. These include training drills, buggy-friendly warm-ups, and non-contact free-play matches—perfect for mothers who want to stay active while bonding with their little ones. Little ones are welcome to join in on the fun too.
The sessions are open to women in all stages of early motherhood, including those who are pregnant**; women who are post-partum; and women with young children. First sessions are free for newcomers – simply turn up – with future sessions costing just £3.50 on a pay-as-you-go basis. Participants can book their places online at bhliveactive.org.uk or via the BH Live Active app.
More information about the sessions can be found at bhliveactive.org.uk/health-and-wellbeing-activities.
Wimbledon Park Sports Centre is owned by Portsmouth City Council and operated in partnership with BH Live.
On behalf of BH Live, Carla Earle, Community Sports Manager for Portsmouth, shared;
“Since launching our Mums & Tots Netball sessions, we’ve provided an inclusive and welcoming space for mums, both during pregnancy and after childbirth, to engage in netball. These sessions offer a fun, accessible way to stay active, while also fostering a sense of community among mums and their little ones. Thanks to our ongoing partnership with Netball in the Community, we’re working to remove social and financial barriers, ensuring that women at all stages of motherhood have the opportunity to get involved, build confidence, and maintain a healthy lifestyle through the sport.’’
As well as assisting in the delivery of Mums & Tots Netball sessions at the Mountbatten Leisure Centre, Netball In The Community also helps to deliver Walking Netball sessions for visitors aged 50+ or for people recovering from long-term health conditions or injuries at the centre. The initiative also delivers specially tailored sessions for local community groups, festivals, and workplaces.
On behalf of Netball in the Community, Debbie Laycock, Owner and Founder, shared;
“I’ve learnt a lot working with BH Live and the BH Live Active team to continue the mission of Netball In The Community – to make netball more accessible for residents across Portsmouth. We hope that the continuation of these sessions will enable more mums across the city to take time for themselves and connect with the joys and benefits of this sport, without the need for childcare.’’
Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure & Sport added:
“It’s fantastic to hear women in the early stages of motherhood are being encouraged to stay active in a safe environment. We know some women can find it difficult to have any time to prioritise their physical health and we are thrilled this opportunity is available.
We have an excellent partnership with BH Live and as a council we work hard to support and encourage healthy lifestyles for our residents. Thank you to BH Live and Netball in the Community.”
For more information about Netball In The Community visit netballinthecommunity.com.
For more information about Wimbledon Park Sports Centre visit bhliveactive.org.uk/wimbledon-park.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
*Sport England, Gender Research
**Pregnant women are advised to speak with their GP or midwife before participating in any sessions.
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, X – @BHLIVE_UK | Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive | Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Netball In The Community
Netball in the Community was launched in 2018 to provide netball opportunities for all in Portsmouth – it doesn’t matter about ability, age, gender, disability or even if you never played before.
We have experience in Back to Netball, Walking Netball, workplace netball, junior netball, mums & tots, festivals and more recently, during the pandemic 1:1 delivery, small group sessions and modified rules. (All within the guidelines) We are always open to new ideas and after our experiences during Covid-19 can rise to the challenge with patience, enthusiasm, and an open mind! We pride ourselves on ‘never standing still’ – always wanting to improve and maximise our skills. We enhance our coaching, first aid and safeguarding qualifications, with mental health first aid, physical literacy, and suicide prevention training.
Find out more at netballinthecommunity.com.
These leisure centres are owned by Portsmouth City Council and run by registered charity BH Live.
Mountbatten Leisure Centre – Portsmouth’s flagship leisure and event venue. Located in the heart of Hilsea, Mountbatten is located just a short distance from Portsmouth’s city centre. Its large well equipped gym, accessible by lift, has multiple zones with something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness. Dedicated training areas have lots of cardio kit to choose from, free weights, functional fitness spaces and more. With health and wellbeing professionals on hand, there is also an exercise referral team to offer guidance and support if recovering from an illness, injury or long term health condition. Group exercise classes run seven days a week and include Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyCombat, Sprint, Grit, Group Cycle, Bootcamp, Shapes, yoga, Pilates, aqua, group cycle, circuits, and more.There is a 50 metre swimming pool (divided into two) with regular public swimming sessions, lane swimming, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a smaller teaching pool for little ones and lessons. Mountbatten is home to AquaDash – a large pool inflatable course – great fun for young people, team building away days, and parties. Spa facilities include a sauna, spa bath and steam room.
Mountbatten offers a broad health and wellbeing programme which focuses on helping people with long-term conditions to stay active and build their confidence in one one-on-one or group settings
Mountbatten is also home to a Clip ‘N Climb leisure attraction and an eight-court sports hall where multi-sport activities and events are held throughout the year in partnership with local clubs and schools. An outdoor velodrome and athletics track hosts regular training, events and competitions throughout the year.
Open to members and non members a Terrace Café has free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks.
From August 2024, ANPR will be in operation. There is free customer parking for up to four hours seven days a week with accessible spaces for Blue Badge holders. Charges apply for longer stays – see car park signage for details.
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/mountbatten
Get social with us: X & Facebook @mountbattenlc | Instagram @bhliveactive
Pyramids Centre – BH Live Active, Pyramids is situated in Southsea overlooking the beach and Solent. There is something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness. The centre has state-of-the-art Technogym fitness equipment in an airy spacious gym with a wide range of functional fitness, strength and cardio activities. There is a dedicated assessment area for those who are new to exercise complete with fitness tracking technology to help set activity goals.
Pyramids has four activity studios. The Glasshouse and Solent each have stunning seaviews. There is also the region’s only dedicated HIIT studio running circuits style HIT classes and a Technogym Group cycle studio. Group exercise classes run seven days a week including Group Cycling, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), Yoga, Pilates and classes as part of the Les MillsTM programme including BodyPump, BodyCombat and Core.
As part of BH Live Active’s multisite membership, members can also use the gym, pools and classes at Mountbatten and Charter.
Next to Pyramids is a public car park with 154 parking spaces including six accessible spaces. Up to 90 minutes of free parking is available for customers attending the gym or a class – ask or register in centre. There is also free roadside parking along Clarance Esplanade after 6pm. This car park adjacent to Pyramids is managed by Portsmouth City Council and parking charges apply. – see website for details https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/pyramids
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @Pyramids.Centre
Exploria – Exploria at Pyramids in Southsea opened in 2021. It is Portsmouth’s largest indoor soft play and bounce attraction. With a range of exciting experiences, Exploria stimulates play for children aged 6 months and upwards. A tantalising sense of wonder and extreme fun across three connected worlds gives children plenty of action to amaze and delight. Everything, from floor to ceiling, evokes a sense of mystery with lots of jumps, leaps and thrills. All safely rightsized to inspire juniors, toddlers and babies alike.
The bounce zone is great for burning off tons of energy. The diving tower with air bag is perfect for the bravest of explorers. There are interactive games, themed slides. agility parkour, battle beams and foam pits too. Our play zone features ball pits, spider’s web and cargo climbing, a rope bridge skywalk, bash bags, tunnels, rollers, beams plus a dodge ball shoot out. And the baby and toddler zone has all things Exploria, but downsized for little ones of preschool age. There are quieter SEN play and bounce sessions plus a dedicated sensory room with stimulating lights, sound and touch. Four themed party rooms based on Volcanos, an underwater world, Mayan Ruins and Egyptian tomb – great for celebrating special occasions and birthdays, A dedicated Exploria café serves delicious snacks, light bites and drinks. And there’s toilets, accessible facilities, baby change, lockers, and a buggy park too. Exploria can accommodate school group bookings too – a great way to reward a class or year group.
For more and to book online visit exploria.org.uk
Get social with us on Facebook & Instagram @exploriauk
Exploria is located at Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3ST.
There is a pay and display public car park with 154 parking spaces including six accessible spaces. This car park is managed by Portsmouth City Council and parking charges apply. – see website for details https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/
Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre – Located in Hilsea, a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre and next to Mountbatten, Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre is one the leading gymnastics facilities in the country.
A purpose-built gymnastics training facility provides young people and adults the opportunity to develop to a competition level with an artistic and acrobatic gymnastics club programme.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/gymnastics-centre
Get social with us:
Facebook @PortsmouthGymnasticsCentre | X & Instagram @bhliveactive
Portsmouth Tennis Centre – Situated in the north of Portsmouth (Hilsea) next to Mountbatten. Portsmouth Tennis Centre consists of four indoor courts and six floodlit outdoor courts.
There is a comprehensive coaching programme caters for all ages and abilities. Sessions are available for tots, juniors, adults and also includes variations of the sport such as cardio tennis and touch tennis.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/tennis-centre
Get social with us:
X @PortsTennis | Facebook @PortsmouthTC | Instagram @PortsmouthTennisCentre
Wimbledon Park Sports Centre – Located a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre, Wimbledon Park Sports Centre has a large sports hall with access to activities such as badminton and indoor sports.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/wimbledon-park
Get social with us:
Facebook @WimbledonParkSportsCentre | X & Instagram @bhliveactive
Charter Community Sports Centre – Located in Portsmouth’s busy university district, a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre, Charter Community Sports Centre offers access to swimming, gym, group exercise classes and sports hall activities. There is also an outdoor multi-use games area.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/charter
Get social with us: Facebook @CharterCommunitySC | X & Instagram @bhliveactive