Meet the team

If you contact us at Rockets Netball our committee will reply to you, but who are they?

Rockets Netball is an independent club and our executive committee representatives are voted for by our members. All committee members are volunteers who give their time and energy to keep Rockets Netball running smoothly. The executive committee (board) currently consists of: our President (Philippa), Treasurer and VP (Lisa M) and Club Secretary (Lisa H).

Here’s a little bit about them:

Philippa
What is your role at Rockets Netball?
I’m currently club President which means working together with Lisa & Lauren to keep the club members informed of any club information, ask their opinions and preferences (for practice times, tournaments, social events etc) and communicate with others outside of the club. We’ve structured our committee to appeal to our personal strengths so my role at the moment includes social media & website manager, communications with members, events co-ordinator and in 2024 I completed the Level 1 coaching qualification so I am also one of the youth team coaches. I see my role as the club’s cheerleader, just telling everyone how awesome playing for Rockets is!

How did you get into netball?
I used to play netball (& other sports) at school but I haven’t played for years. I stopped playing team sports after leaving school and due to health issues hadn’t really exercised for a few years. After moving to Portugal, a few years ago, I was looking for ways to meet new people and someone suggested netball. I started with walking netball then found that I could actually move more than I expected and preferred (running) netball.

What are your favourite netball positions to play?
Anything in the goal circle. Either defence or shooting. I enjoy scoring goals but I really like playing defence. Playing in defence is hard work but so satisfying to turn that ball around and send it back to your own team’s goal.

What other exercise do you do?
Like I said, I stopped exercising for a long time due to health issues & have slowly built up my strength and stamina. I do enjoy cycling, swimming and I even had a PT (10 years ago I wouldn’t have believed that!). My main cardio though is from netball and padel tennis. It gets the blood pumping and has really improved my fitness!

What is your favourite thing about playing netball over other sports?
The teamwork. Netball is a team sport like no other. You can’t move the ball up the court on your own, you HAVE to pass to your teammates to score goals and have a chance at winning.

What do you love about Rockets Netball?
I’ve learned so much, my fitness has improved dramatically, my netball skills have definitely got much better but my absolute favourite thing about Rockets is that we have fun! We work hard but we have a laugh at every training session. I’ve met so many wonderful women (& their partners/families) through the club. We work together, we ask each others’ opinions, no BS, no drama and we do it whilst having fun.

Lisa
What is your role at Rockets Netball?
I’m currently Vice President and Treasurer & senior team coach.  I’m a bit of a ‘details’ person so I like to help out on things such as policy and procedure.  Like Philippa, I also completed the Level 1 coaching qualification and take great pleasure in helping others to develop and achieve their full potential.

How did you get into netball?
I used to play competitive netball at school and university, then also socially as an adult.  When I moved to Portugal, I never expected to be able to find people playing netball but there are a growing number of women who are interested in the sport.  These are mainly immigrants to Portugal from ‘Commonwealth’ countries who have played the sport before, but since Rockets Netball was established, a number of Portuguese ladies & other nationalities have also joined the club.

What are your favourite netball positions to play?
Previously I would have always said C or WA (as these are the positions I played when I was younger) but I have started to really enjoy playing in defensive positions.  Mainly WD, as I’m not really tall enough to be a GK or GD but if the opposition has a shorter GS or GA then I’m happy to give it a go.

What other exercise do you do?
HIIT and weights training.

What is your favourite thing about playing netball over other sports?
I’ve played lots of other team sports when I was younger, which I enjoyed immensely, but the thing I like about netball is that it is more inclusive and forgiving than other sports that I’ve played – especially as you get older. 

What do you love about Rockets Netball?
Rockets Netball has players with varying levels of fitness and ability, with players in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.  Of course players need to have a basic level of fitness and no significant health issues that restrict physical exercise in order to take part, but we go to great lengths to accommodate everybody and encourage people to train and play to their own limits.


Lauren
What is your role in Rockets Netball?
I am currently the secretary of the club. My role includes writing the minutes of meetings and distributing them to members, supporting club communication, and helping with the Portuguese language, which is one of my strengths. I have a strong knowledge of the local area and enjoy using this to the club’s advantage whenever I can.
As I work in hospitality, I also help with planning events and developing ideas for future fundraisers. And of course, my unofficial but much-loved role is being the club’s sausage roll supplier.

How did you start playing netball?
I always played netball at school, but once I left, I realised I had stopped playing sport altogether. I’ve always loved team sports, and for women in particular, it can be difficult to continue after school. When I started playing with Rockets, all the benefits of team sports came flooding back into my life. I found a community I could rely on, became healthier through regular exercise and felt supported by the amazing women around me. It brought balance, confidence, and a real sense of belonging back into my life.

What are your favorite positions in netball?
At school I always played GA and GS, but after spending some time with Rockets I stepped into the GD position and never looked back.
I love the challenge of defence and the way it pushes me to think tactically. It’s not just a physical workout — it’s a mental one too, and that’s what I love about it.

What other exercise do you do?
My main regular exercise is playing netball and chasing after my daughter — which might be the toughest training of all.
I also enjoy trying different sports such as padel, tennis, and swimming, even if I don’t train in them regularly.

What do you like most about netball compared to other sports?
Definitely the team camaraderie. I love being part of a team of strong, supportive women. It doesn’t just happen on the court — it flows into our lives.
Real friendships, real support, real community. My life has changed because of it.

What do you like most about Rockets Netball?
The club is run efficiently, professionally and always fairly. Everything is done transparently, and we make sure every member has an equal voice.
We create a true community — and as an expat living in a foreign country, this is incredibly important to me. It’s a place where I feel included, supported, and at home.


You can contact us at any time through email: rocketsnetball@gmail.com or via our Facebook or Instagram pages