‘On cold nights I often think, “why am I doing this?” But the minute I am on court, I feel the buzz and I feel much better.’
The Finchampstead player plays outside every week, come rain or shine, and she jokes that she will continue to play until they throw her off the team.
‘Energy-wise I put it down to loving cod liver oil and malt – which I was given every day as a child and I also drink at least a pint of milk a day which has helped keep my bones strong,’ explains Anne.
‘Friends reckon it is also the odd pint or two of Draught Guinness I am known to partake!
‘I get the impression the opposition think they are in for an easy ride as I play Goal Shooter and I am only 5’2”,’ she adds.
‘But I always remember one member of my club saying to me when training that she hated being against me because I was little and she couldn’t hear me moving behind her.’
Anne’s deeply competitive nature is evident in all aspects of life; she also bowls three to four times a week, took up skiing at the age of 45 and has played tennis and football.
‘I think it is very important to stay active as you get older,’ she tells us.
‘I have watched others fade away when they have never kept up with any exercise at all. I know I am lucky enough to have had only two major injuries in my playing time.
‘I sprained my ankle when I was 13 and then, at 73, I tripped over my own feet playing netball and broke my collarbone.
‘I was out of action for six weeks and took up Zumba to help with my recovery; luckily I was back playing netball before long.’
Anne took part in a study carried out by Park Homes by Willerby, which found that 48% of over-55s are happier now than in their twenties and thirties.
The study questioned 2,000 Brits aged between 55 and 75 about middle aged life.
58% said life is more fun over the age of 55, and 43% said they are relishing the confidence that comes later on in life, and almost half said they were looking forward to learning new skills and embracing new hobbies in their retirement.
‘As the youngest member of my family, having two older sisters, I have always been very competitive and always said that I would like to come back to life as a member of the opposite sex – because I thought they had more opportunities than us girls,’ says Anne.
‘I think I was born too early as nowadays things are so different.’
We think Anne is amazing – we hope we have half of her energy when we get to her age.
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