Ciarra Izzie On Introduction To Netball
[Written by Stephen Wright]
For Ciarra Izzie, joining the Docksiders netball team was the perfect way to immerse herself in island life after moving to Bermuda from Ireland four years ago.
Eager to expand her social circle, Izzie took her neighbour’s advice and headed to Docksider Restaurant to introduce herself to the team.
That decision proved to be a turning point. Since then, she has become an integral member of the squad – despite never having played netball in her hometown of Tullamore in Ireland’s Midlands region.
“I’d played GAA [Gaelic Athletic Association] in Ireland, which is quite physical, so I had to learn ‘no contact,’ which was a learning curve for me!” Izzie, 28, told Bernews.
“If you’ve played team sports, getting free and knowing how to mark is universal.
“I was a substitute for a bit, playing one quarter, but I’ve got better and now play all four quarters!”
What started as a way to meet new people quickly turned into a passion for the sport.
“Initially, I just joined to make friends,” Izzie said. “My netball journey has been relatively short.”
Izzie credits coaches Naomi Szmierek and Charlie Evans for accelerating her development, and she especially appreciates the camaraderie among the players and the social aspect of the game.
Netball has become a lifelong pursuit for Izzie, who works as an actuary at SkyRidge Reinsurance.
“It’s a sport I will have for life now,” she added. “I can see myself playing netball even if I leave Bermuda.
“It’s a fun, social team. Hopefully, the sport will keep growing on the island.”
- This is the eleventh in a series of articles in which Bernews is highlighting the island’s netball players.
