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Before the Magnolias take the court, they strap on their knee braces and tie bows in their hair. On the sidelines, their coach tells them to stay calm and slow down. The group of women, aged in their late 60s and early 70s, dominate the competition in walking netball. The modified version of the traditional game is designed to be more accessible, minimise injuries and keep participants playing the sport they love for longer. Running and jumping are against the rules. "I didn't think that I wanted to do it," Magnolias player Lyn Zanker said. Netball is the most popular team sport among Australian women, but it can take a big toll on the body. Many who pivot to walking netball have grown up with the game. "I've played since I was young — now I have to have a new knee, so I'm playing with braces on my knee," Sue Mauger said with a smile. Under the rules of walking netball, players are allowed to take up to two steps with the ball and maintain possession for an extra second. Ms Mauger said the modifications made for a more inclusive environment. "We have two women who are deaf, we have somebody who has just gone through chemotherapy and she comes out every week," she said. Ten walking netball teams from across the country have been competing at the Australian Masters Games in Canberra over the past week. The Magnolias clinched gold in the over 65 category. Still as competitive as ever Netball ACT chief executive Sally Clark said the adapted sport was growing in popularity. "Netball is not always kind to the body, to our knees and ankles, so it just allows people to continue to play for a lot longer and really enjoy the benefits of that social connection," Ms Clark said. "You're seeing it now in quite a few of the codes, [with] walking hockey, walking football, and I've even heard of stroll-o polo." What walking netball may lack in speed, it makes up for in competitiveness. "Some of the most competitive games come out of our 65-plus ladies this week," Ms Clark said. "Been a few elbows, I believe." 'You've got no excuse' Star defender Keeley Devery played for Australia's national netball team, the Diamonds, for a decade. She retired in 1996 but was persuaded by friends to return to the court for the Australian Masters Games. "This year they said, 'We've put a team in walking netball, you've got no excuse'." For lifelong netball players, adapting to the no running and jumping rules can be a challenge. "For the first three games, I was trying to work out what the hell I was doing … it does feel really weird," Ms Devery said. But she has already signed up for another walking netball tournament next year. "The appeal for me has always been a team sport … so it's very hard not get wrapped up in that excitement and enthusiasm."
