Netball is a ball sport played by two teams of seven players. Games are played on a rectangular court with raised goal rings at each end.
The object is to score goals from within a defined area, by throwing a ball into a ring attached to a 3.05 metres (10 feet) high post.
Players are assigned specific positions, which define their roles within the team and restrict their movement to certain areas of the court. During general play, a player with the ball can hold onto it for only three seconds before shooting for a goal or passing to another player.
The winning team is the one that scores the most goals. Netball games are 60 minutes long but variations have been developed to increase the game’s pace and appeal to a wider audience.
Netball is played by more than 20 million people in more than 80 countries worldwide and is most popular in Commonwealth nations. It is predominantly played by women.
In 1995 netball became a recognised sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Netball is the most popular women’s sport in Australia with an estimated one million players nationwide.
Although traditionally identified as a sport for women, there is no reason why it can’t be played with mixed teams and more boys and men are becoming increasingly involved.
Australia’s major domestic competition is Suncorp Super Netball.
For participants in school (Kinder to Year 12) the most common way to participate is through club netball in the Winter
We have 5 associations across the ACT who each run their own Winter competition that run across Terms 2 & 3 - Each comp offers various competition levels and divisions to suit the skills, experience and abilities of teams. Some associations also run Twilight/ Summer competitions in Term 4!
To participate in any competition (except WWNSG Net which is a skills only program for kids aged 5 & 6) you need to join a Netball Club or see if your school enters teams into an association's competition! Each association has their own website and you can either email the association directly or look for their club contact page to reach out directly to local clubs. Clubs are always welcoming of new players and will place you in a team that suits your skills and experience best!
Being in a team usually involves training once per week (usually after school/ evening time) where you will work on skills and strategies
Teams play weekly on a Saturday at your associaition and you will play against different teams throughout the season. Some competitions include finals (WWNSG programs have no finals)
Woolworths NetSetGo is the National Participation program for boys and girls aged 5-10! All WWNSG participant receive a participant pack as part of registration which includes a T-shirt, ball and keychain!
Net - best for ages 5 & 6 - skills and games focused only - 45min sessions run on a Saturday morning
Set - best for ages 7 & 8 - participants placed in teams, train weekly and participate in matches with modified rules and lower hoops weekly!
Go - best for ages 9 & 10 - participants placed in teams, train weekly and participate in modified matches weekly
Other divisions include: Juniors, Intermediate, Cadets and Seniors cater to participants from years 5 through to year 12 and opens
Ech association runs their comps and divisions slightly different so make sure to ask where you/ your child fits best!
You will be placed in a team that is suitable for your skill level, age and experience. Your team is placed in a division appropriate to the skills, age and experience of the players!
There are a number of avenues for over 18 players to participate in netball:
1. We have 5 associations across the ACT who each run their own Winter competition that run across Terms 2 & 3 - Each comp offers various competition levels and divisions to suit the skills, experience and abilities of teams. Some associations also run Twilight/ Summer competitions in Term 4!
Each association runs a Seniors competition which is open to players over 18 of all skill levels
To participate in a competition, you need to join a Netball Club! Each association has their own website, and you can either email the association directly or look for their club contact page to reach out directly to local clubs. Clubs are always welcoming of new players and will place you in a team that suits your skills and experience best!
Being in a team usually involves training once per week (usually after school/ evening time) where you will work on skills and strategies
Teams play weekly on a Saturday at your association and you will play against different teams throughout the season. Seniors play with full netball rules but individual player needs can be accommodated for!
2. NACT runs Social Competitions at the SolarHub ACT Netball Centre year-round - offering mixed and women's divisions for all levels!
It is easiest to enter your own team into this competition, but individuals may be able to find a team by reaching out to the Competition Coordinator or my checking out the MisFits Netball Page on Facebook
3. NACT runs a range of modified netball programs including Walking Netball and Morning Ladies netball
Check out the info on all these programs via the link below!
All clubs and schools set their own uniforms which you will need to wear to all games. The standard uniform is a dress or a top and shorts/ skirt - this may be your normal school uniform or netball specific branded and suitable gear!
Netball ACT believes that all netball participants should, as much as possible, be supported in
wearing a uniform that allows them to participate in the manner in which they feel most
comfortable. There are a multitude of reasons why a player or umpire may not feel comfortable
wearing a traditional playing dress or umpiring uniform, and traditional uniform options may not suit their individual needs and preferences.
If you don't feel comfortable wearing these uniform options, reach out to your club to sort out an alternative. All clubs should accommodate different preferences or requirements (such as for religious or cultural regions).
Please refer to the Inclusive uniform policy linked below for more information
Yes, absolutely!
Despite being a female dominate sport; male participation is rapidly increasing and more opportunities for males to participate are opening!
All associations should allow boys up until 12 to play unrestricted in Winter competitions!
Each association has different rules around boys participation for those aged between 13 and 16 - for participate this age, reach out to your local association for advice
Once aged 16+ boys can play in NACT run Mixed comps year round (3 boys on the court at once)
Each association enters a Mens team into the Netball ACT State League Competition - these teams are always welcoming new players the opportunity to play and learn - season runs March-September (trials in Nov/ Dec for competition in the following year)
For more information about boys specific programs, reach out the ACT Men's and Mixed Netball Association: actmensnetball@outlook.com
ACTMMA run academy and development programs for boys aged 13-17
ACTMMA select teams each year to compete at the Australian Mens and Mixed National Championships - there are U17, U20, U23, Opens and Mixed Opens divisions available with ACT typically sending 3-4 teams per year!
If you aren't sure if you are ready to commit to a season of netball, there are several ad-hoc netball programs and opportunties
1. New to Netball Come and Try sessions & programs: NACT is currently working to establish a number of come and try days and beginner skill programs aimed at engaging brand-new participants (kids and adult programs) - there is a particular focus on engaging culturally and lingusitcally diverse individuals
2. Walking Netball - is a modified and accessible form of netball designed to be lower impact, safer and accessible to all! NACT will be running 2 Walking Netball Programs in 2025 in which participants play and pay as they attend - there is no requirement to attend every session/ game
3. Morning Ladies Netball - similar to Walking Netball, Morning Ladies runs on Wednesday mornings during the school term and participants can attend as they like - only paying for the sessions they attend!
4. There is always the option to ask a local club for a come and try session or reach out to NACT if you would like help accessing netball as an individual or in larger groups
2. Players may not wear anything that could endanger themselves or other players, specifically:
a. No body piercings including earrings may be worn.
b. No adornment that may endanger player safety may be worn.
c. No communication devices may be worn.
d. Any other adornment worn must be securely covered with tape
and/or padding.
e. Medical devices may be worn provided they are securely covered
with tape and/or padding.
f. Player monitoring devices may be worn provided they are secured
within the playing uniform.
g. Fingernails must be short and smooth.
h. Hair must be suitably tied back (for example in a ponytail, plait or
braided) and free from any adornment.
Additionally, individual associations may set their own rules around jewelry and adornments
If playing in Woolworths NetSetGo (ages 5-10) - there are different modified rules which you follow to allow more
See the attached flyer with information on modified rules - please note these rules will be updated in 2025