About Netball

• Wikipedia gives the basics of the game, including the court, positions, rules, competitions etc
• Andy Dawson's Netball Resources A useful directory of links with content on most aspects of Netball
• h2g2 by the BBC has an introduction, explaining the game and the responsibilities for each position
• International Federation of Netball Associations gives a basic overview of the game
• Netball Australia gives an overview - should answer all those questions about origins, rules etc.
• Netball Online An independently run netball website with the goal is to provide as much information for as wide an audience as possible. Join us in the forums for heaps of discussion/debate, catch up on the rules or the history of netball, check out the latest results from around the world or find out when and where the next game of netball is being played.

History of Netball

"In 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts a 30-year-old Canadian immigrant to the USA, James Naismith, was ordered to invent an indoor game for high-spirited young men at the School for Christian Workers (later the YMCA). Basketball was born...with the original game featuring nine players - three forwards, three centres and three guards - simply because Naismith had 18 youths to keep amused. Women's indoor basketball began exactly two days later when female teachers to the gym were captivated by the game but it wasn't until 1895 that the current game of netball was well and truly shaped." (From the IFNA)

• IFNA has a detailed history on the development of the game
• Warriordoc presents the "Origins of the Great Girlie Game"!

Rules of Netball

Books may be purchased from any of the national netball associations that are affiliated to The International Federation of Netball Associations or from IFNA itself.

• Wikipedia presents Netball rules and court dimensions as part of their overview of Netball
• 1998 Rule Changes From Andy Dawson
• Allsands have the Netball rules
• Alternative Rules If you cant find a full-sized court; 5 a side and indoor netball
• England Netball presents all the info you need on the specifications of a Netball court
• England Netball has a technical description of the rules
• BBC Sports Academy gives you a plain language description of the rules of Netball

Netball Drills

• Andy Dawson's Netball Resources has a good list of drills, exercises and the like for your training sessions
• Ausplaza Articles has some Netball Drills you can try
• Netball in Sussex Has a set of Netball training drills
• Samoa Netball has suggestions and observations for coaches, with associated drills

Fitness for Netball

• Andy Dawson's Netball Resources has a list of Fitness and Agility drills for you to consider
• Top End Sports describes a range of fitness tests for each factor that is important to Netball success; purpose, equipment required, and description/procedure for each
• Welsh Netball Association have published their Academy warm-up routine, plus some detailed fitness drills

Netball Injuries

Ankle Strapping Consider the game of netball - the short sprints, the hard stops, the twists & turns required to play the game. The forces that are pushed down and through the joints in the lower body can be very severe. Knees, ligaments and ankles are the all too frequently injured whilst playing. The wearing of a form of support for the ankles & knees is becoming more common amongst netball players as a means of injury prevention. England Netball is now suggesting that players routinely strap their ankles before a game. Here are two ways adopted to tape an ankle for sport. The strapping for both these methods is a wide adhesive tape. A stretchable bandage has no effect. The first is the old fashioned 'figure of eight' strapping around the ankle & the sole of the foot. This is easily self applied. The second is a little more radical and may require assistance. This method has been referred to as the stirrup method; there are no doubt other names. Adhesive tape is passed under the heel and anchored to the calf by a banding of tape around the calf. Further tape is then applied over this 'foundation' around the ankle. The alternative is to purchase a medical/sports pre formed ankle support. From Craig our UK Netball Librarian

• British Journal of Sports Medicine has published an article called "Landing in netball: effects of taping and bracing the ankle"
• Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine and Science has a scientific article on Ankle Acute Injuries, especially those associated with jumping sports
• Injuryupdate.com.au has a pictorial example of a simple ankle strapping for sprain prevention
• Monash University Accident Research Centre has published a report called "Attacking the Goal of Netball Injury Prevention" with a summary of the factors and recommendations for prevention
• Monash University, Australia PDF of flyer covering netball injuries - the facts, safety tips
• Netball in Sussex Provides some background to sports injuries as experienced by netballers as well as the basics of sport first aid and some useful strategies for treating injuries.
• Netball Smart from the Accident Compensation Corporation (NZ) allows you to create a fully tailored Netball fitness plan designed to help with injury prevention
• Physioroom.com describes a full ankle strapping to consider for injury prevention
• Sports Injury Bulletin Has information on Pre-habilitation training. This involves strength and conditioning exercises for specific muscles that help to reduce injury risks, before an injury actually occurs. Relevant to Netball are Ankle Sprain and Non-contact ACL or MCL Sprain

Netball Organisational bodies

• IFNA International Federation of Netball Associations; latest news, events, current world rankings, etc
• Andy Dawson's Netball Resources has an extensive list of links to organisational bodies, international, national, regional and local

Netball Events

• Netball Singapore has some information about the 2011 World Championships
• World Netball Championships Official site for Singapore 2011 - coming soon?

Netball Portals

• Netball Online Forum Well used covering a range of topics.

Netball Organisational bodies in Asia

• Asian Netball Federation publishes news, events, membership details, courses

Play/Watch Netball in Singapore

Play/Watch Netball in Ireland

Overview of Netball in the United Kingdom

Play/Watch Netball in the United Kingdom

Netball in England

Netball in Northern Ireland

Netball in Scotland

Netball in Wales

History of Netball in North America

Play/Watch Netball in Barbados

Play/Watch Netball in Canada

Overview of Netball in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Play/Watch Netball in the USA

Netball Competitions in Oceania

Overview of Netball in Australia

Play/Watch Netball in Australia

Overview of Netball in New Zealand

Play/Watch Netball in New Zealand

• Netball East Wellington