Netball

What is 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.
Get involved
The School Games is inclusive to all young people and provides opportunities for everyone to get involved, either within school, against other local schools, or at county or regional level.
School Games Organisers
School Games Organisers (SGO) help schools coordinate appropriate competitive opportunities for all young people from Key Stage 2-4, to recruit, train and deploy a suitable workforce, and to support the development of club.
Sign up to find your local SGOSchool Games formats
Learn more about the School Games formats suitable for netball competitions:
Quick and easy netball activities
Be it 10-minute or lesson-length activities, we have a range of activities suitable for all ages and abilities to encourage young people to stay active throughout the day.