About Netball

About Netball

Netball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. The sport derived from early versions of basketball, and is similar to it in many respects. Netball developed as a distinct sport in the 1890s in England, from where it spread to other countries. It is popular in many Commonwealth nations and is predominantly played by women.

Games are played on a rectangular court divided into thirds, with a raised goal at each short end. The object of the game is for teams to score goals, by passing a ball and shooting it into their team's goal ring. Players are assigned "positions" that define their role within the team and restrict their movement on court. During general play, a player with the ball can take no more than one step before passing it, and must pass the ball or shoot for goal within three seconds. Goals can only be scored by the assigned shooting players. Netball games are 60 minutes long, divided into 15-minute quarters, at the end of which the team with the most goals scored wins.

The sport is administered globally by the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA), and is reportedly played by over 20 million people in more than 70 countries. Local-level participation is widespread in Commonwealth nations, particularly in schools, although international competition and domestic leagues receive substantial recognition in several countries. The highest level of international netball includes the Netball World Championships, the netball event at the Commonwealth Games, and the World Netball Series. In 1995, netball also became an Olympic-recognised sport.

History

Netball emerged from early versions of basketball, and evolved with the increasing participation of women in sport. Basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor working in Springfield, Massachusetts. His new game was played in his school's gymnasium between two teams of nine players, using an association football that was shot into closed-end peach baskets. Naismith's new game spread quickly across the United States. Variations of the rules soon emerged; for example, Senda Berenson developed modified rules for women in 1892, giving rise to women's basketball; and separate intercollegiate rules were developed for men and women. The various basketball rules eventually converged in the United States, but an entirely new sport emerged when basketball spread to England.

Martina Bergman-Österberg introduced one version of basketball in 1893 to her female students at the Physical Training College in Hampstead, London. The rules of the game were modified at the college over several years: the game moved outdoors and was played on grass; the baskets were replaced by rings that had nets; and in 1897 and 1899, rules from women's basketball in the United States were incorporated. Madame Österberg's new sport acquired the name "net ball" The first codified rules of netball were published in 1901 by the Ling Association (later the Physical Education Association of the United Kingdom). From England, netball spread to other countries in the British Empire. Variations of the rules and even names for the sport arose in different areas: "women's (outdoor) basketball" arrived in Australia around the start of the 20th century and in New Zealand from 1906, while "netball" was being played in Jamaican schools by 1909.

From the start, netball was viewed as an appropriate sport for women to play, with restricted movement that appealed to contemporary notions on women's participation in sport, while remaining distinct from potentially rival male sports. Netball became a popular women's sport in countries where it was introduced, and spread rapidly through school systems. School leagues and domestic competitions emerged during the first half of the 20th century, and in 1924 the first national governing body was established in New Zealand. International competition was initially hampered by a lack of funds and varying rules in different countries. Australia and New Zealand contested the first international game of netball in Melbourne on 20 August 1938, which the host nation won 40–11. Efforts began in 1957 to standardise netball rules globally: by 1960 international playing rules had been standardised, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball (later the International Federation of Netball Associations) was formed to administer the sport worldwide.

In Australia, confusion existed because both netball and basketball were called "women's basketball". There was a movement during the 1950s and 1960s to change the name of the game in the country from women's basketball to netball in order to avoid confusion between the two sports. The Australian Basketball Union offered to pay costs involved to alter the name but this was rejected by the netball organisation prior to 1968. In 1970 the Council of the All Australia Netball Association officially changed the name of the game to "netball" in Australia.

In 1963, the first international tournament was held in Eastbourne, England. Originally called the World Tournament, it eventually became known as the Netball World Championships. It has been held every four years since, most recently in 2007. The World Youth Netball Championships started in Canberra in 1988, and have been held roughly every four years since. In 1995, the International Olympic Committee designated netball as an Olympic recognised sport. Three years later it debuted at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. Other international competitions also emerged in the late 20th century, including the Nations Cup and the Asian Netball Championship.

Passing types and styles by nation change over time. Prior to 1965, England and most European countries played a one-handed, long passing game while Australia and New Zealand played a two-handed, short passing style of game. By the mid-1980s, Australia had started playing a style of game similar to that of England during the 1960s, with the emphasis on one-handed shoulder passes.

Description and rules

The objective of a game of netball is to score more goals than the opposition. Goals are scored when the ball is passed to a team member within the shooting circle who then shoots the ball through the 380-millimetre (15 in) diameter goal ring. The goal rings are at either end of a 30.5-metre (100 ft) long and 15.25-metre (50.0 ft) wide court. The court is divided into thirds and a 4.9-metre (16 ft)-radius semi-circular "shooting circle" is at each end. The 3.05-metre (10.0 ft) high goal posts are located within the shooting circle. The ball is usually made of leather or rubber and measures 680 to 710 millimetres (27 to 28 in) in circumference and weighs 397 to 454 grams (14.0 to 16.0 oz). A game consists of four 15 minute quarters.

Only seven players are allowed on the court for each team and they are given specific positions. Each player wears a "bib" showing an abbreviation of their position. The seven positions are Goal Keeper (GK), Goal Defence (GD), Wing Defence (WD), Center (C), Wing Attack (WA), Goal Attack (GA) and Goal Shooter (GS). Each player is only allowed in certain areas of the court. Goal Attack and Goal Shooter are the only players allowed in the opposition's shooting circle and therefore are the only players that are allowed to shoot for goal. Goal Keeper and Goal Defence are the only players allowed in the defensive shooting circle and try and prevent the opposition GS and GA shooting goals. Wing Defence is restricted to the defensive two-thirds of the court and Wing Attack to the attacking two-thirds, while Center can move anywhere outside of the shooting circles.

At the beginning of every quarter or after a goal is scored, play starts with the player in the Centre position passing the ball from the centre of the court. These "centre passes" alternate between the teams, regardless of which team scored the last goal. When the umpire blows the whistle to restart play, the Goal Attack, Goal Defence, Wing Attack and Wing Defence players can move into the centre third to receive the pass. The centre pass must be caught or touched in the centre third. The ball is moved up and down the court through passing and a player must touch it in each adjacent third of the court. A player holding the ball must release it before the foot they were standing on when they caught the ball touches the ground again. The ball can only be held by a player for three seconds at any time and if it is held in two hands and dropped it can not be picked up by the same player. Contact between players is only permitted provided it does not impede an opponent or the general play. When defending a pass or shot players must be at least 90 centimetres (35 in) away from the player with the ball. If illegal contact is made, a penalty is given to the team of the player who was contacted, and the player who contacted cannot participate in play until the player taking the penalty has passed or shot the ball.

Variants

Indoor netball

Indoor netball is a variation of netball, played exclusively indoors, in which the playing court is surrounded on each side and overhead by a net. The net prevents the ball from leaving the court, reducing the number of playing stoppages. This gives indoor netball a faster pace than netball.

Two different forms of the game are played. In the 7-a-side version, seven players per team play with rules similar to netball. However, a game comprises 15-minute halves with a three-minute break in between. This version is played in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England; the sport is often referred to as "action netball" in the latter two countries. A 6-a-side version of the sport is also played in New Zealand, with six-player teams comprising two attackers, two centre players and two defenders. The attacking and defending players can each go in one half of the court including the goal circle, while the centre players can play in the whole court except the goal circle. A unique feature of this form of the game is that the attacking and centre players can shoot from outside the goal circle for a two-point goal, while shots taken inside the goal circle still earn one point.

Fastnet

Fastnet is a variation on the rules of netball designed to make games faster and more television-friendly. It is employed in the World Netball Series with the ultimate aim of raising the sport's profile and attracting more spectators and greater sponsorship. The modified rules are outlined below:

• Timing: Each quarter lasts only six minutes. Breaks in between quarters are two minutes each. Injury time-outs are 30 seconds only; standard rules allow for one initial two-minute injury time-out.
• Coaching: Coaches can give instructions to players from the sidelines during play, from in front of their playing bench.
• Substitutions: As in basketball, teams are allowed to use rolling substitutions, with no stoppages in play per substitution and with unlimited substitutions per quarter.
• Power plays: Each team can separately nominate one "power play" quarter, in which each goal scored by that team counts for double points. This is somewhat similar to powerplays in One Day International and Twenty20 cricket.
• Two-point shots: Similar to three-point field goals in basketball and two-point goals in six-a-side indoor netball, the goal shooter (GS) and goal attack (GA) may shoot goals from outside the shooting circle. These goals count for two points; in a power-play quarter, they count for four points. Umpires raise one arm for a single-point goal and two arms for a two-point goal.
• Centre passes: After each goal, the team that conceded the goal takes the next centre pass. Under normal rules, centre passes alternate between the two teams, regardless of which team scored the last goal.
• Tied scores: Ties are decided by penalty shoot-outs, similar to those in association football.

Children

Fun Net

Fun Net is Netball Australia's play based motor skills program for 5–7 year olds. The emphasis is on the acquisition of basic netball skills, in a fun environment of games and activities. The Fun Net program runs for 8–16 weeks. There are no winners or losers. The goal posts are 2.4m high and a size 4 netball is used.

Netta

Netta is Netball Australia's modified netball game for 8–11 year olds. A size 4 ball is used and the goal posts are 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in) high. Most netball players under the age of 11 play this version at netball clubs. It was created to develop correct passing and catching skills with up to six seconds allowed between catching and passing the ball, instead of the three seconds permitted in the adult game. All players rotate positions throughout the game so that they can experience the differences between each position. The program of Netta allows children to acquire important skills necessary in the game of netball in a fun and exciting environment. The aim of Netta is to ensure each child leaves with the confidence and skills ready to play Netball.

High Five

High Five Netball has been heavily promoted by the All England Netball Association. it ensures that children gain experience at all positions on the court, and that they understand the physical and tactical skills necessary to play seven to a side netball. Like Netta, it is aimed at 9–11 year old girls. There are five positions and the players must swap around these positions during the game, allowing them to try out every position. The game is played over four quarters, with each quarter lasting six minutes. When a player is not on the court, they are expected to help the game in some other way, such as being the timekeeper or scorekeeper. The game uses a size 4 ball.

Demographic appeal

Men

On the club, national and international level, men's netball teams exist, but attract less attention. Mixed teams are not uncommon in Australia and are very popular. Men's national teams do exist for countries including Canada, Dubai, England, Fiji, Jamaica, Kenya and Pakistan. In 1997, in England male participation comprised 0.7% of the total netball playing population within schools. Unlike women's netball at elite and national levels, men's and mixed gendered teams in countries like Fiji, Australia and New Zealand are largely self-funded. When administrators attend conferences for men's and mixed gendered netball, they also have to pay most of their own costs.

Netball started to become popular for male players in Australia during the 1980s as men started to watch the sport that their wives and girlfriends were participating in. In Australia, the sport began to be played with the appearance of mixed gendered social teams. In 1985, the first Australian men's championship was held. The levels contested included: Open, Open Reserves, 21 and Under, 19 and Under, 17 and Under and Masters. The South Australian Mens Netball Association was founded in 1998. In 2000, the national organisation basically collapsed because of a lack of interest. In 2001, the South Australians tried to recreate the national organisation under their own state organisation, calling it the Australian International Mens and Mixed Netball Association. The new organisation held its first Australian Championships in 2002 for mens and mixed teams. In 2003, New Zealand entered a national team in the Open Mens Division and won. In 2004, New Zealand and Fiji sent teams to compete in the Australian Mixed and Men's National Championships. On 6 August 2004, the men's national organisations for Fiji, Cook Islands, New Zealand and Australia attended a meeting where they agreed to form the International Men's and Mixed Netball Association. The following day, the organisation's first official meeting was held. The group decided that the International Men's and Mixed Challenge in August 2006 would be the first event they would organise, and that the event would be held in Fiji. The 2009 International Challenge Men’s and Mixed Netball Tournament was held in the Cook Islands. Currently, IFNA only recognises women's netball. The 2011 International Challenge Men’s and Mixed Netball Tournament was run by the Western Australian Men's and Mixed Netball Association (WAMMNA). It is the major international competition for men's and mixed gendered national netball teams. In the 2011 competition held in April, men's national teams from Samoa, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands are a few that will compete.

Transgenders and transsexuals

At the 1994 Gay Games held in New York City, an all transsexual netball team from Indonesia competed. This team had been the Indonesian national champions. At Gay Games VI held in Sydney in 2000, netball and volleyball were the two sports with the highest rate of transgenders participating. There were eight teams of indigenous players, with seven identifying as transgenders. They came from places like Palm Island in northern Queensland, Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea. Teams and players who were transgendered could participate in several divisions including men, mixed and transgendered; they could not compete against the biological women's teams.

Disabled athletes

Netball has been played by disabled athletes. A hybrid version of basketball and netball was played at the Grand Festival of Paraplegic Sport in 1949. Its inclusion came after several matches of a form of wheelchair polo were determined to be too dangerous. Players used netball posts to score, instead of requiring them to shoot at the basket. There were six teams and a total of thirty-seven athletes competing at the event. This hybrid version of netball was subsequently played at the 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954 festivals before being replaced by wheelchair basketball in 1956.