Netball

Netball is a fun, engaging team sport for both boys and girls. Players wear bibs which assign them to specific positions, and the game is played on a rectangular court with the aim to score in uniquely shaped nets at either end of the court. 

Through Bee Netball, younger children can enjoy the sport in various flexible ways to suit the needs of you and the young people involved. There is also a young leader programme which you can access to support the delivery of Bee Netball via School Games.

Find out more about how to play Bee Netball formats.

Equipment needed

• Netballs
• Bibs
• Cones
• Score sheets
• Court space
• Goals (approx. 9ft high)
  

A brief history of netball

The sport first began in England in the late 19th century, before steadily stretching to reach five continents. In its infancy, it was described as 'women's basketball' but quickly emerged as a distinctly separate sport due to its different rules, finally earning the name ‘netball’ in the 20th century.

By 1960, international playing rules had been standardised for the game, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball (now known as World Netball) was formed. Today, netball is played in more than 80 countries by an estimated 20 million people.