50 Years Anniversary

The Sport of Netball (known as Women's Basketball in Australia until 1970) has long been popular and successful among women and girls, and more recently, among men.  In fact, the National Associations of Australia, England and New Zealand had excited at least half a century before Netball ACT was admitted in 1975 as a member of the All Australia Netball Association Ltd - now known as Netball Australia. 

The sport of netball, originally known as Women's Basketball in Australia until 1970, has long been a cornerstone of community and sporting life. Initially popular among women and girls, it has grown to embrace male participation as well. The national associations of Australia, England, and New Zealand were thriving at least half a century before Netball ACT joined their ranks in 1975, when it became a proud member of the All Australia Netball Association Ltd (now Netball Australia).

In 1942, Netballers in the ACT joined together to form the Canberra Netball Association (CNA). 

Netball's early history in the ACT reveals a vibrant spirit of competition and community. By the 1940s, ACT teams were traveling interstate to compete, often participating in New South Wales' "Country Week," which later evolved into the Netball NSW Championships. These events provided the ACT teams with vital exposure and competitive opportunities.

Players from the era fondly recall the camaraderie and adventure of these journeys. Traveling by train and staying at the YWCA were integral parts of the experience. Notable milestones include a 1944 trip to Sydney, where four teams from the ACT played matches against teams from Melbourne and Sydney. In 1945, an ACT team ventured to Melbourne for another round of competition.

These early forays laid the foundation for what would become a flourishing netball community in the ACT, connecting players across regions and setting the stage for future achievements.

*Photo: 1948 ACTWBBA Representative Team - Country Week Championships, Sydney. 

As numbers increased CNA divded into two districts associations, Canberra and South Canberra (SCNA) both being affiliated with New South Wales Association (NSWNA). CNA stayed at southwell park and SCNA at Deakin West, near the Mint, where it currently stnds today. 

By 1974, Netball had been thriving in the ACT for more than three decades.  At a combined meeting in October of that year, CNA and SCNA decided to strike out own their own and gain general support to forming an ACT Netball Association and apply to All Australian Netball Association (Netball Australia) for membership as a separate territory. 

On 1st October 1975, the ACT Netball Association was admitted to the All Australian Netball Association after a Territories' Clause aws added to the AA Constitution.  

In 1975, the Arawang Netball Association was formed, becoming one of the first associations under the Netball ACT umbrella.

By 1985, the netball community continued to expand with the addition of the Tuggeranong Netball Association.

Today, Netball ACT oversees six associations: Arawang, Belconnen, Canberra, South Canberra, Tuggeranong, and the ACT Men's and Mixed Association. These associations work together to provide opportunities for players of all ages and abilities to participate in netball.

*1976 15s Team- State Age 

Netball ACT marked a significant milestone in 1980 by appointing its first full-time Administrative/Promotions Officer, a move facilitated by the Sports Development Fund. This timely appointment was crucial in preparing for the monumental task of hosting the National Open and Under 21 Championships in Canberra later that year.

To further enhance the sport and align with national initiatives, Netball ACT introduced the role of a part-time Coaching Director in 1982. This position was elevated to a full-time role in 1983, and today, Kate Carpenter proudly serves as the Head Coach of Netball ACT, continuing the legacy of excellence.

Initially relying on the dedication of volunteers, Netball ACT transitioned into a Corporate Body in 1980. This pivotal step allowed Netball ACT to secure crucial funding and resources.

Over the years, Netball ACT moved through various locations, including offices in Canberra City, temporary accommodation at the Southwell Park CNA Pavilion, and rented spaces in Fyshwick. In 1984, Netball ACT found a home at ACT Sports House on Maitland Street, Hackett. Netball ACT's journey culminated in 1990 with the establishment of its current headquarters at the SolarHub ACT Netball Centre in Southwell Park. 

By 1985, the netball community continued to expand with the addition of a fifth association - Tuggeranong Netball Association. Today, Netball ACT oversees six associations: Arawang, Belconnen, Canberra, South Canberra, Tuggeranong, and the ACT Men's and Mixed Association. These associations work together to provide opportunities for players of all ages and abilities to participate in netball.

** Pictured: Under 21 Team of 1982 winning score against South Australia.

As Netball ACT grew, so did its workforce. Positions were created to manage the center, develop umpires, maintain membership records, and oversee the organisation's strategic direction.

A major milestone for Netball ACT was the completion and official opening of the Coco-Cola ACT Netball Centre at Southwell Park, Lyneham in 1990. The official opening was celebrated with 60 guests, marking an exciting new chapter for netball in the ACT. The Centre, a $1.5 million facility was funded by a Commonwealth Government grant and quickly became the heart of Netball ACT's activities. 

In 1997, Netball ACT underwent a significant restructuring. The former Executive Committee was replaced by a Board of Directors, which has since become a cornerstone of the organisation. The Board has implemented more efficient management practices and improved integration between different sections of Netball ACT.

*Photo: Official Opening

Netball ACT experienced significant growth in the 2000s. Membership surged to 7,000, encompassing players of all ages, genders, and skill levels. To accommodate this growth, the organization expanded its offerings, providing diverse playing opportunities and introducing childcare facilities at the ACT Netball Centre.

Administrative processes were modernised, leveraging technology to streamline operations and improve communication. The launch of Netball ACT's website in 2000 further enhanced accessibility to information and resources.

This was also the decade which saw our implementation of a National team in the AIS Canberra Darters.  The AIS Canberra Darters were formed in 2003 as a joint venture between the Australian Institute of Sport and Netball ACT. The team replaced the Adelaide Ravens in the national competition - The Commonwealth Bank Trophy, competing in the league until its conclusion in 2007.  Several notable players from the Canberra Darters went on to represent Australia in netball - Laura Geitz, Rebecca Bulley, and Kate Beveridge just to name a few. 

*Photo: 2006 AIS Canberra Darters Team.

The Canberra Darters have had a rich history in Australian netball. Initially formed as a partnership with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the AIS Canberra Darters competed in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy from 2003 to 2007.

After the 2007 season, the team dropped the AIS partnership and continued as the Canberra Darters, participating in the Australian Netball League (ANL) from 2008 to 2016.

In 2017, the Canberra Darters were replaced by the Canberra Giants, a joint venture between Netball ACT, Netball New South Wales, and Giants Netball. This new team aimed to provide a higher level of competition and development opportunities for young netballers in the region. The Canberra Giants competed in the ANL from 2017 to 2019, reaching the grand final in 2018.

In 2019, the partnership between Netball ACT and Giants Netball ended, and the Canberra Giants were rebranded as the Giants Netball Academy. To continue representing the ACT region in the ANL, Netball ACT formed a new team, the Capital Darters.

*Photo: Former Canberra Giants and current Australian Diamond player, Kiera Austin. 

Netball ACT is a thriving organisation dedicated to the growth and development of netball in the ACT. They oversee various competitions and programs, including the HCF State League and junior leagues, nurturing talent from grassroots to elite levels. The Capital Darters represent the ACT in the Australian Netball Championships, providing opportunities for young players to compete nationally. Netball ACT is committed to fostering a strong netball community through various initiatives and community engagement programs.