Dear teammates,
The first time I dislocated my shoulder during a game, it took a few seconds for anyone to realise what had happened. But when my face drained of colour, you knew it was bad. Someone rushed forwards to hold my hand as play was stopped. I don’t remember who it was, but I remember they never left my side.
My shoulder doesn’t dislocate all the way, instead it gets stuck – stretching every nerve beyond what should be possible. The pain was blinding, but I didn’t scream or swear, I found I couldn’t. It was like an implosion, all sensation rocketing inwards, and all I could do was try to breathe and squeeze the fingers I was holding in the hand that still worked.
I remember thinking two things very clearly during the taxi ride to A&E: first, they will have to remove my arm (so ferocious was the pain). And second, I can never play netball again. Both thoughts floated from my mind with that first puff of gas and air when I arrived at the hospital. My arm was cracked back into its proper place, and I did – of course – play netball again.
The third (or perhaps it was the fourth) time my shoulder popped out mid-game, you were all ready. Our goal shooter at the time, who happened to be an emergency doctor, sprinted towards me from the other end of the court. She sat with me and talked to me, she reminded me to breathe. At some point she relocated my shoulder. Right there, on the court. My entire body flooded with relief as the pain receded, followed quickly by a deep, humbling gratitude for these incredible women who give so much for each other.
I have now played for our club, Poly NC, in west London, for 15 seasons. According to Guinness World Records, we are the oldest netball club in the world, steeped in a history of women who push themselves and each other, who sacrifice time, money, freedom (and ankles, knees and shoulders) for the love of the game, and the love of each other. I found you in a moment of real need. I was 22 and alone in an unfamiliar city. And there you were, an instant set of friends, a simple structure to pin my fledgling life around. Training every Wednesday. Matches every Saturday. No excuses, no weeks off. I loved it. You provided direction, purpose, and self-worth – packaged in bright orange dresses and white ankle socks.
By the fifth agonising dislocation, and the subsequent surgery that kept me on the sidelines for an entire season, I was desperate. My return to form was no longer as simple, or inevitable, as it had felt in those early years. At the time, I was pushing 30, I had picked up other niggles along the way. Retirement loomed like a black shadow in the corner. But not playing was unthinkable. Nothing else in my life could replicate the adrenaline rush of game day, the complete mindfulness I could only achieve for the 60 minutes after the start whistle had blown. And, thankfully, you, my teammates, weren’t willing to give up on me.
You kept pushing me to come to training even when I could barely move and didn’t want to be there, enlisted me as scorer for match days so I still had a reason to leave the house on Saturday mornings, you checked in and messaged, hyping me up for the smallest rehab wins. (“You did up your own bra?! Huge!”) You kept me connected, kept me motivated, and quietly kept reminding me that I still belonged.
Because you cared, I came back stronger, sooner, and braver than I thought possible. Not just to the court, but to myself. And every time I pull on that orange dress, it’s a reminder: recovery isn’t something you do alone. It’s something you’re carried through by the people who refuse to let you drift away.
Love, Natalie
We all deserve someone who cares
That’s why at AXA Health, we build our teams with people who care, so when you reach out, we’re there to support you. We’ll help you access the care you need quickly. But more than that, we listen, we support, we care.
And while we may not be able to help in emergency situations like Natalie’s, with our outpatient, diagnosis and care option you’ll have access to a physio online without a GP referral*, for swift answers when you need them. In fact, in 2025, 99% of members needing an online physio appointment were offered one within just one working day, according to HBSUK.
You simply complete an online assessment and arrange a time to speak to a physio online or by telephone. They’ll assess your symptoms, talk to you about what they could mean, and help you get the support you need.
Pre-existing conditions not covered.
*This service is available for members aged 18 or over.
