It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned player or new to the world of netball, do you know about the rich history of this unique sport? For instance, what makes netball different from other ball sports like basketball? Even though there are some similarities, the games are very different.
What is Netball?
You may be asking, “what is Netball?” Well, it is a sport that is made up of two teams made up of seven players and it is played on a rectangular court. The goal is to get the ball through the other team’s goal ring or what is often called the “net”. The ring is at a height of 10 feet, and there is one on each end of the court, which is very similar to basketball.
Netball is unique in that it is one of the few sports that was invented just for women and girls to play. Even today, women make up the majority of netball players around the world, which fosters a sense of female empowerment. Netball is able to be played on an indoor or outdoor court, and it is very popular in schools, which makes it a sport that many have come to love.
Today, netball is played in over 80 countries worldwide with over 20 million players (based on information from World Netball). There are 70 national teams that are scattered across 5 global regions and 4 major international competitions. These are the:
- Fast5 Series
- Quad Series
- Commonwealth Games
- World Netball Championships
The History of Netball
Netball’s history dates back to 1893 when Martina Bergman-Osterberg used a modified version of basketball for female students in England. It would share rules from basketball and later transition into netball.
In 1895, a physical education instructor (Clara Gregory Baer) confused the lines on the basketball court as zones that players couldn’t leave. This caused new rules to be created and it became a different sport with restricted zones. This was a concept that would be tested in 1899 with women’s basketball but this did not last.
In 1901, the first official Netball rules were published which marked a huge milestone in the development of the sport. Netball started to grow in popularity and eventually expanded across England and into other countries. Then in 1960, the International Federation of Netball and Women’s Basketball would be created, and it is now known to all as World Netball.
Netball’s journey that came from a court mishap to a global sport is just a huge testament to its appeal and adaptability. From the early days in physical education classes to huge international competitions, Netball has continued to empower its players and foster a spirit of healthy competition.
It doesn’t matter if you are just starting out or a seasoned Netball player, you need to have the right equipment. We offer a variety of netball equipment for people of all levels, ranging from training balls and uniforms to high-performance footwear. Take a look and explore our collection and discover all that you need to move your netball game to the next level.