Back on the court, and finding my community amid med school – By Annaliese Hughes
Annaliese Hughes started playing netball when she was just seven years old but when Covid hit, and life became hectic with full time nursing studies, she stepped away from the game. Since moving to Warrnambool (VIC) to study medicine – she has made netball (and her mental health) a priority again. She has picked right back up where she left off and is finding her community through women from all walks of life.
From an early age, having a passion gave me a strong sense of purpose. After a five-year break from netball, I recently found my way back to something I love. Getting back on the court has renewed by self-belief and motivates me both on and off the court. Don’t get me wrong, going back to a sport that you played as a kid can be nerve wracking, as you might not feel as confident, as fit, or your skills might feel a bit rusty – but the best thing about a team sport is that it helps to build your self-confidence. You’ve already built the foundation, and everyone around you is giving it a go and building each other up.
Jugging netball every night during Year 11 & 12 didn’t hold me back – it shaped me
I played for Gippsland Storm when I was a teenager, and I have lots of memories of mum driving me to Melbourne twice a week from regional Victoria. This was during VCE, and I’d be trying to squeeze in study sessions in the car during the four-hour round trip. At the time, everyone thought I was overdoing it, but I don’t regret a second of it.
In fact, recent research by ASICS shows that being part of a community and connecting with others are two of the key benefits of kids playing team sports – and I truly felt that growing up[i]. Netball was my world, and I made friends that I still have to this day.
Playing at that level at such an early age gave me purpose and taught me resilience. I learned how to bounce back from moments of self-doubt. Mum gave up a lot to make it possible – and that time together became our time. Looking back, I have really special memories of those drives.
Life is a whirlwind, but netball is my anchor
Life is a bit of a whirlwind at the moment. Depending on which rotation I’m on, I usually work around 60 hours a week – balancing patients and tutorials. Sometimes life gets in the way, but there came a point with my studies where I knew I needed better balance, and to prioritise my mental health again.
Another medical student passed on my details to the coach of Camperdown Netball Club, and she gave me a call and asked me to come give it a try. I was initially a bit hesitant about how I’d manage the one-hour commute, how I’d juggle medical school, and the fact that I’d had a decent break from netball – but everyone was incredibly welcoming straight way. I quickly found my people and my community, and it has made all the difference to just about every aspect of my life.
Reconnecting with team sport changed my life
The club is a one-hour drive away, but it allows me to decompress. When I pull into the court, I take a deep breath as it’s time I have taken out just for me. I’m not thinking about patients or deadlines and I’m completely in the moment. Netball is more than just a sport and always has been. Netball also helps to keep me grounded, not every game is going to be perfect – and that’s okay.
The ASICS research highlights that more than half (56%) of people recognise that the confidence they built while playing sport translated to other areas of their lives – and I’m definitely one of them. Netball has absolutely shaped my mindset, and it has helped me to have confidence in myself and has taught me to be extremely organised with my time.
When I took a break, I still kept active with tennis, but it’s such a different environment compared to netball. I really missed the team aspect. The players in my team are all different ages and from all walks of life, but we all click so well. I truly believe that I’ve built friendships for life. We genuinely lift each other up and we are quick to celebrate what’s going well. There’s great energy in the team and we’re all about showing each other support wherever we can.
Reconnecting with something I love and feeling supported by a team, is a powerful reminder of how important it is to show up for yourself. I think it’s possible to do it all, if you prioritise – and what’s more important than building a community and feeling supported?
By Annaliese Hughes
[1] 2025 ASICS Research ‘ Sports Foster Confidence and Lifelong Connection for Kids. https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2025/02/sports-foster-confidence-and-lifelong-connections-for-kids-yet-they-continue-to-quit-new-research-reveals/87726/