Bringing a new game to Waltham

Rarely, if ever, does a Waltham resident look at netball as a sport to play. Dorothy Nakato is looking to change that.

Nakato and her Elite Motion Netball Academy are hosting a fun, informational learn-to-play social event Nov. 1 from 2:30-5 p.m. at McDevitt Middle School. A $5-per-player participation fee covers the cost to rent the gym. 

“Netball is one of the games that can keep the community together,” said Nakato, 35. “I want our community to enjoy this new (to them) sport.”

What exactly is netball?

World Netball, the governing body for netball affiliated to the Association of Recognised International Sports Federations, defines it as a game pitting two teams of seven players that “strive to keep or gain possession of the ball” en route to scoring within a netted goal circle surrounding the basket. The team with the most goals wins the match, traditionally four 15-minute quarters. For a full list of rules, click here. 

While netball is a popular game elsewhere, it isn’t a big deal in this country. At least not yet.

More than 13 million people play netball worldwide, across 120 countries, according to World Netball. That number is just 400,000 in the U.S., according to Netball America. 

A native of Uganda, Nakato started playing netball in middle school. She moved to Waltham four years ago and works as a paraprofessional in the Waltham Public Schools. 

For comparison, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association calculated that more than 28.1 million Americans play basketball. American netball participation is less than 1.5% of that number. Clearly, netball’s footprint here appears miniscule. The sports look similar, with the net in netball appearing like a basketball hoop without a backboard. 

“If you love basketball, you can love netball, too, because it almost has the same concept,” Nakato said.

Netball isn’t Nakato’s only athletic interest. She is also a youth official for lacrosse and field hockey, and helps run an athletic program in Uganda. Nakato also formerly coached the Waltham High School junior varsity girls lacrosse team. 

The netball event is an introduction Nakato hopes turns into something more. 

“Telling someone about netball if they haven’t watched it physically is hard,” Nakato said. “I want them to experience, see and feel the game.”