Netball is a non-contact generally indoor sport similar to, and derived from, basketball. A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function The International Federation of Netball Associations ( IFNA) is a federation of more than 60 Netball associations from around the world and is responsible New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America The United States of America —commonly referred to as the BALL ( Biochemical Algorithms Library) is a C++ library containing common algorithms used in Biochemistry and Bioinformatics. The Olympic Games is an international Multi-sport event established for both summer and winter games Sport is an Activity that is governed by a set of rules or Customs and often engaged in competitively Basketball is a team Sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m It is usually known as a women's sport. It was originally known in its country of origin, the United States, as "women's basketball". The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Invented in 1895 by Clara Gregory Baer^[1], a pioneer in women's sport, netball is now the pre-eminent women's team sport (both as a spectator and participant sport) in Australia and New Zealand and is popular in the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom. Clara Gregory Baer (August 27 1863-? is famous for her pioneering role in Women's sports. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ( Sinhalese:, இலங்கை known as Ceylon before 1972 is an Island The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Over 20 million people play netball in more than 70 countries^[2].

History

Links to basketball

Netball traces its roots to basketball. Basketball is a team Sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m Basketball was devised in 1891 by James Naismith for his students in the School for Christian Workers (later called the YMCA). James A Naismith (November 6 The Young Men's Christian Association (" YMCA " or " the Y " was founded on June 6, 1844 in London England by a young man Female teachers got curious and started to formulate a version for girls. The outfits of women at this time hindered them from effectively executing important basketball moves such as running and dribbling, so the game had to be modified to accommodate these restrictions. Women’s basketball was thus born.

Zoning rules inadvertently added

In 1895, Clara Baer, a gym teacher from New Orleans, asked Naismith for a copy of the basketball rules. Clara Gregory Baer (August 27 1863-? is famous for her pioneering role in Women's sports. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana James A Naismith (November 6 Baer identified Naismith's unclear pencil markings showing the areas players should best patrol as the areas within which women players could move, and consequently introduced the "zoning areas" we know today^[3]. This was the start of netball’s formalization. These zoning rules, along with many other provisions (such as elimination of the dribbling rule), were all included in the first draft of Rules for Women’s Basketball. In 1901, this set of rules was ratified and netball officially became a competitive sport. However, it was several years before regular competitions were held.

Introduction of netball to the Commonwealth

A netball sculpture at
Invercargill Airport, Southland. Invercargill Airport is a controlled aerodrome located 1 NM northwest of Invercargill at the south of the South Island of New Zealand. Southland (Murihiku is the name of New Zealand 's southernmost region and is also the name of a district within that region

Netball was first played in England in 1895 at Madame Ostenburg's College ^[4] and soon spread throughout Australia, the then-British colonies of Jamaica and Antigua, and indeed most British Commonwealth territories. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. Jamaica (ˈdʒəˈmeɪkə} is an Island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length and as much as in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. Antigua (ænˈtiːgə an-TEE-gah) is an Island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region the main It did not yet have hard-and-fast rules. So loose were the regulations, in fact, that some games were played by nine players in each team, while some were played with only five players in each. The nets used were also ineffective—they were not open at both ends, so after each goal was scored, the umpire had to retrieve the ball from the top of the post. Netball has been played at the Commonwealth Games since 1998. The Commonwealth Games is a multinational Multi-sport event. Held every four years it involves the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations.

World's oldest netball club

On the 6th June 1907 an exhibition of "Net Ball" was organised between the "Ladies" and "Gentlemen" of The Regent Street Polytechnic as part of a garden party to celebrate the opening of their sports ground in Chiswick (West London). Poly Netball Club can trace an unbroken heritage back to this match and are therefore seen as the world's oldest netball club. ^[5]

Netball rules standardised and the International Federation established

Main article: International Federation of Netball Associations

In 1960, representatives from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies met to discuss standardising the rules of the sport. The International Federation of Netball Associations ( IFNA) is a federation of more than 60 Netball associations from around the world and is responsible This led to the establishment of The International Federation of Women's Basketball and Netball (which later became the International Federation of Netball Associations). The International Federation of Netball Associations ( IFNA) is a federation of more than 60 Netball associations from around the world and is responsible New Zealand was the last country to adopt netball as the name for the sport in 1970^[6]. Formal rules were established at this inaugural meeting and it was decided to hold World Championship tournaments every four years.

Establishment of the World Championships

Liz Ellis kissing the Netball World Championships trophy after the 2007 final. Elizabeth (Liz Ellis (born 17 January 1973) is a retired Australian Netball player a member of the national team from 1992 until 2007 and captain

Main article: Netball World Championships

The first Netball World Championship was held in 1963 and was hosted by England. The Netball World Championship is a quadrennial international Netball world championship co-ordinated by the International Federation of Netball Associations The were held in Eastbourne, England, which was the first edition of the Netball World Championships tournament Since then there have been eleven more tournaments. Australia has dominated the World Tournaments, beating the other 11 teams competing in 1971, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1991, 1995 and 1999. In 2003, New Zealand finally broke the pattern and took home the gold. Fiji was scheduled to host the 2007 World Netball Championship, but was stripped of its hosting privileges as a result of the December 2006 coup. Fiji (Matanitu ko Viti फ़िजी officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands (Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti फ़िजी द्वीप समूह गणराज्य The Fijian Coup d'état of December 2006 occurred as a continuation of the pressure which had been building since the military unrest of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état In turn, the 2007 Netball World Championships were held in New Zealand. The 2007 Netball World Championships was the twelfth Netball World Championship, a quadrennial international Netball world championship co-ordinated by the

Netball becomes a recognised Olympic sport

In 1995 netball became a recognised Olympic sport, making its inclusion in future Olympics possible, and in turn has been included in the Commonwealth Games since then^[7]. The Commonwealth Games is a multinational Multi-sport event. Held every four years it involves the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Netball gains semi-professional status

With the introduction of the ANZ Championship in 2008, an elite netball competition contested between five teams each from both Australia and New Zealand, netball became a semi-professional sport. The ANZ Championship is the elite Netball competition between five teams from Australia and five teams from New Zealand. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island This allowed players to focus on netball and work either part time or not at all.

Description and rules

The objective of netball

The objective of a game of netball is for players to pass the ball to a teammate within the oppositions goal circle and score goals. The team with the most goals at the end of a game is the winner.

The court and its dimensions

A netball court is divided into thirds.

Like basketball, netball is played on a hard or soft court with scoring hoops or "rings" at both ends. The court is slightly larger than a basketball court, being 30. 5 m long and 15. 25 m wide. The longer sides are called "side lines" and the shorter lines called "base lines". Court markings are no more than 50 mm wide. The court is divided into thirds which regulate where individuals of each position are allowed to move. A 90cm-diameter "centre circle" is located in the centre of the court. At each end of the court there is a 4. 9 m-radius semi-circular "shooting circle" or "goal circle" from within which all scoring shots must be taken. The goal posts are 3. 05 m high from the top of the ring to the ground and have no backboards. The rings have an internal diameter of 380 mm and are located 150 mm forward from the post and are made of 15 mm diameter steel. Both the height and diameter of the rings are smaller than basketball hoops. It is possible to play netball using a basketball hoop but if there is any contact between the ball and the backboard, the ball is considered out of play. If a goal is scored off the backboard it does not count. Some versions of the rules allow a goal to be scored from a backboard rebound if a player who can catch it throws it in without touching the ground.

The ball

The ball resembles a basketball but is lighter, smaller, slightly softer in construction, and generally white. A basketball is an inflated spherical Ball used in the game of Basketball. A netball will often have a patterns engraved or stiched into its design similar to a volleyball. A volleyball is a Ball used to play Indoor volleyball, Beach volleyball, or other less common variations of the sport. Gilbert is the official ball supplier of the International Federation of Netball Associations. Gilbert is a sports equipment company They are the official ball suppliers of the Rugby World Cup and the International Federation of Netball Associations.

Positions

There are seven players on each team, who are given nominated, named positions (some junior/training variants have only five players per team). Each player must wear a "bib" showing one of the abbreviations below, indicating that player's position. Each player is only allowed in certain areas of the court: a player in a section of court that is not part of their playing area is deemed "offside". The positions are described below:

Scoring goals

By the combination of the above, only the Goal Attack and Goal Shooter are able to score goals directly. A ball that passes through the hoop, but has been thrown either from outside the circle or by a player not the GA or GS, is deemed a "no goal". Furthermore, a shooter (GA or GS) may not shoot for a goal if a "free pass" has been awarded for an infringement such as stepping, offside, or using the post.

Starting and restarting play

A netball game in Australia.

When a quarter begins, or after a goal is scored, play begins from the centre of the court with a "centre pass". These passes alternate between the teams, regardless of which team scored the last goal. A centre pass is passed and taken by the Centre player, who must have one foot grounded within the centre circle. As the game restarts, only the Centre player from each team can be in the centre third. When the umpire blows the whistle to restart play, the Goal Attacks, Goal Defences, Wing Attacks and Wing Defences move into the centre third, and the centre pass must be taken by someone who lands within the centre third of the court when they receive the pass. If the ball is not received in the centre third then the opposition receives a "free pass" where the ball was received in the area of infringement.

If the ball leaves the court boundaries, then a member of the team that did not touch the ball last restarts play by making a pass from the court lining back into play.

Stepping, footwork and passing

Netball rules do not permit players to let their landing foot touch the ground again if it is lifted at all while in possession of the ball. Players are entitled to balance on the other foot if the landing foot is accidentally lifted. Consequently, the only way to move the ball towards the goal is to throw the ball to a team-mate. The ball cannot be held by a player for more than three seconds at any time, and players may not tap the ball to themselves more than once ("replay"). This, combined with the restrictions on where one player of a partiular position can move, ensures that everyone on the team is regularly involved in play.

Contact and obstruction

Contact is only permitted provided it does not impede with an opponent or the general play and players must be at least three feet (90 centimetres) away from a player with the ball mean attempting to defend. If impeding contact is made, a penalty is given to the team of the player who was contacted, and the player who contacted must stand "out of play", meaning they cannot participate in play until the player taking the penalty has passed the ball.

Playing time

A game is played in four quarters, each one lasting fifteen minutes, with intervals of three minutes between the first and second quarters, and between the third and fourth quarters. There is also an interval of five minutes at half time. If a player has an injury, a team-mate or umpire calls time, and the time keeper pauses the timer. When the game starts and the player has swapped places with another player, or is healthy, play is resumed and the timer is restarted.

Worldwide popularity

Netball is a popular participant sport, particularly in countries of the Commonwealth of Nations such as New Zealand, Australia, Malawi, Jamaica, and the United Kingdom. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The Republic of Malawi (məˈlɑːwi or; formerly Nyasaland) is in southern Africa. Jamaica (ˈdʒəˈmeɪkə} is an Island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length and as much as in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. Over 20 million people play netball in more than 70 countries^[8]. Netball is commonly played by Commonwealth children during their years at school.

Oceania

In Australia and New Zealand, netball is the most popular sport played by women. 2008 saw the inaugural ANZ Championship, a trans-tasman semi-professional competition that is broadcast on television in both New Zealand and Australia. The ANZ Championship is the elite Netball competition between five teams from Australia and five teams from New Zealand.

West Indies

Approximately 10,000 people play netball in Jamaica, and it remains the favored women's sport in that country with Dayna Kalpagos (Australian) the key player in the league. Antigua and Barbuda is also very active in the netball, with cricket being the only sport more popular. Antigua and Barbuda ( Spanish for "Ancient" and "Bearded" is an Island nation located on the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea

Physical appeal

Netball requires speed, strategy, team work and co-ordination, thus its appeal is not limited to women. Representative men's teams exist, but attract less attention. At primary home level, mixed teams are not uncommon. As adults, men and women can compete with each other on reasonably fair terms as the restrictions on defence, limitations of numbers and positions of male players, and the women's greater familiarity with the game, prevent those men of superior strength and size gaining an overly large advantage.

Major competitions

Netball World Championships

Main article: Netball World Championships

The most important competition in netball is the Netball World Championship which is held every four years. The Netball World Championship is a quadrennial international Netball world championship co-ordinated by the International Federation of Netball Associations The Netball World Championship is a quadrennial international Netball world championship co-ordinated by the International Federation of Netball Associations The Australian national netball team are the current world champions having won the 2007 Championship in New Zealand. The Australian national netball team (nicknamed the Diamonds) are the national Netball team of Australia. The 2007 Netball World Championships was the twelfth Netball World Championship, a quadrennial international Netball world championship co-ordinated by the Past winners include the Silver Ferns of New Zealand and the Calypso Girls of Trinidad and Tobago, though England, the Proteas of South Africa and the Sunshine Girls of Jamaica have all also placed. The Silver Ferns are the national Netball team of New Zealand. The competed in the 2007 Netball World Championships‎ and came eleventh The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ˈtrɪnɪdæd ən təˈbeɪgoʊ is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying northeast of the South American The England national netball team is the national Netball team of England. The South Africa national netball team is the national Netball team of South Africa, coached by Burta de Kock. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa The Sunshine Girls are the Jamaican women's national Netball team Jamaica (ˈdʒəˈmeɪkə} is an Island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length and as much as in width situated in the Caribbean Sea.

See list of national netball teams for a complete list of national netball teams. Oceania ( Cook Islands Netball Association) ( Netball Fiji) ( Netball New Zealand) ( Papua New

World Youth Netball Championships

The next World Youth Netball Championships will take place in 2009 in the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands ( Cook Islands Māori: Kūki 'Āirani) are a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand. The 2005 Youth Championship was held in Miami, Florida. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the

Commonwealth Games

Main article: Commonwealth Games

As netball is popular in the Commonwealth, it is has been included in the Commonwealth Games since 1998. The Commonwealth Games is a multinational Multi-sport event. Held every four years it involves the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. The English noun commonwealth dates from the fifteenth century. The Commonwealth Games is a multinational Multi-sport event. Held every four years it involves the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. Australia have taken gold home twice since then, the Silver Ferns once. England and Jamaica are the two other teams that have placed.

Asian Netball Championship

Main article: Asian Netball Championship

The Asian Netball Championship is a competition held between Asian countries. The Asian Netball Championship is a Netball competition held every four years with teams from across Asia competing

South Pacific Games

Main article: Pacific Games

Netball is one of the sport at the Pacific Games (formerly known as the South Pacific Games). The Pacific Games (formerly known as the South Pacific Games) is a Multi-sport event, much like the Olympics, (albeit on a much smaller scale with participation The Pacific Games is a multi-sport event, much like the Olympics, (albeit on a much smaller scale), with participation exclusively from countries around the South Pacific. It is held every four years and began in 1963.

The Nations Cup

Main article: 5 Nations Netball Cup

The Nations Cup (also know as the 4 Nations Netball Cup, the 5 Nations Netball Cup) is an international organised by Netball Singapore. was founded in 1962 The Association is the national body for Netball in Singapore. In 2007, the competition included the Singapore national netball team, Canada, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka and Trinidad & Tobago. The competed in the 2007 Netball World Championships‎ and came fifteenth The 2008 Nations Cup will be between the Botswana national netball team, Barbados, Northern Ireland, the Samoa national netball team and Singapore ^[9]. The competed in the 2007 Netball World Championships‎ (their debut World Championship and came tenth The Samoan national netball team competed in the 2007 Netball World Championships and came eighth

ANZ Championship

Main article: ANZ Championship

The ANZ Championship is the elite netball competition contested between five teams each from both Australia and New Zealand. The ANZ Championship is the elite Netball competition between five teams from Australia and five teams from New Zealand. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island It began in April 2008, succeeding Australia's Commonwealth Bank Trophy and New Zealand's National Bank Cup as the highest level of competitive netball in those countries. The Commonwealth Bank Trophy was the elite national competition in Australian Netball from 1997 up until 2008 The National Bank Cup was New Zealand 's principal Netball competition ^[10].

Domestic competitions

Australasia

• Commonwealth Bank Trophy - Australia (to 2007)
• National Bank Cup - NZ (to 2007)
• Fisher and Paykel Series

England and Wales

• The Super League

Singapore

• Netball Super League

Australian variations for children

Fun Net

Fun Net is Netball Australia's play based motor skills program for 5-7 year olds. The Commonwealth Bank Trophy was the elite national competition in Australian Netball from 1997 up until 2008 The National Bank Cup was New Zealand 's principal Netball competition The is a five-month long 15-round Netball tournament developed to cater for elite players in Singapore. Netball Australia is the peak governing body for the sport of Netball in Australia. The emphasis is on the acquisition of basic motor skills, in a fun environment of games and activities. The length of the Fun Net program can be run between 8-16 weeks, although this is flexible depending on school, association and individual needs. The goal posts are only 2. 4m high and a smaller size 4 netball is used.

Netta

Netta is a basic introduction into the professional aspect of netball for children aged seven years or older. A size 4 ball is used 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 ensures that children gain experience at all positions on the court. There are five positions and the players must swap around these positions during the game, allowing them to try out every position.

See also

• Netball World Championships
• List of netball players
• List of national netball teams
• Korfball, a similar but distinct game played primarily in the Netherlands and Belgium. The Netball World Championship is a quadrennial international Netball world championship co-ordinated by the International Federation of Netball Associations This is an alphabetical list of some notable Netball players Romelda Aiken - Jamaica Ruth Aitken - New Zealand Oceania ( Cook Islands Netball Association) ( Netball Fiji) ( Netball New Zealand) ( Papua New Korfball (Korfbal is a team ball game similar to mixed Netball. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those

References

External links

• Scotland Under 21 Netball Team - 360 Degree Spherical Panorama
• Netball at the Open Directory Project
• Netball at the Yahoo! Directory
• International Netball Federation Limited
• International Netball
• Netball Images
• Netball Online
• Netball Resources website
• Sport is Good: Netball
• The Rules of Netball