Girls Dodge Too – Player Profile : Beth Aldred
Beth Aldred (formerly Webster) is a 31-year-old dodgeball player who has been involved in the sport since 2018. Based in Aberdeen, she plays for Granite City Guerrillas (GCG) and has recently represented Scotland on the international stage. “I started dodgeball mainly as a challenge to myself. Sport is something that does not come naturally to me at all—PE at school put me off ever taking part in a sport. But a lot of my friends were getting involved, and my partner runs the club, so I thought I’d give it a shot,” Beth explains.
Despite her initial struggles with anxiety and the challenge of just stepping onto the court, she has come a long way and now embraces the sport with confidence.
Experiences and Achievements
Beth has had many memorable moments throughout her dodgeball journey. “Winning Most Improved Female for GCG in 2023 was a total full-circle moment as I really did start at the bottom with zero skills!” she recalls. Another standout memory for her is participating in the Rocket Cup charity tournament in 2018, where 150 players in Aberdeen raised over £9,000 for Friends of the Special Nursery.
Her biggest achievement so far has been representing Scotland at the 2023 European Championships. “Playing at the Euros in 2023 has been my biggest achievement, and I absolutely loved the high-pressure, competitive environment. We don’t have a dedicated women’s league in Scotland, so playing against different women’s teams was a fantastic experience.”
Overcoming Challenges: A Setback and a Comeback
Not every moment has been easy for Beth. “I broke my leg landing on a ball that rebounded off the wall at my trial for Scotland in 2023,” she shares. The injury required surgery to stabilize the fracture with a metal rod in her tibia, and she spent nearly a week in an Edinburgh hospital. “I owe a lot of my recovery to how active I was prior to my injury with dodgeball, although the bone took a full year to grow back. It’s probably a good selling point for the sport that I’ve returned after a gnarly injury!” she jokes. Now, she is back in the Scotland Academy and excited to compete again with GCG in Super League.
Why Beth Loves Dodgeball
For Beth, dodgeball is more than just a sport—it has transformed her confidence and mindset. “Dodgeball is a dynamic and fast-paced sport, with so many skills to focus on and keep developing. It has given me a huge amount of confidence in myself, in terms of achieving things I just didn’t think possible. It’s also challenged my preconceptions of sport, and that you have to be a certain type of person to participate.”
But ultimately, what keeps her coming back is the community. “The reason I keep coming back is the people. I couldn’t have survived some of our hardest games without my friends, particularly all the women I play alongside! They have been there through it all—blood, sweat, and breaks! A shout out also to my husband, Anthony, for all his encouragement and our rivalry on court.”
Why Beth Thinks You Should Try Dodgeball
Beth encourages anyone to give dodgeball a go. “You should give dodgeball a try as there is so much potential with the sport. It’s fun to play just casually with your local club, but you can also take it to a competitive level, with national leagues and international tournaments.”
She also highlights the inclusivity of the sport. “You have the option to play single or mixed gender, and there are junior clubs as well. It’s great to see the younger players progress to playing with the adults and giving everyone a run for their money at GCG.”
Beth Aldred’s journey in dodgeball is one of resilience, growth, and community. From overcoming anxiety to playing internationally and even returning from a serious injury, she embodies the spirit of determination. Whether you’re looking for a fun way to stay active or dreaming of competing on the biggest stages, dodgeball has something for everyone. And as Beth has proven, no matter where you start, there’s always room to grow in Dodgeball.
