What is Netball?
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Netball is very different from most other team sports because of its history. From the beginning netball was developed as a game for women, unlike, for example, football, hockey or rugby which makes it perfect for our website. It was derived from basketball artificially to allow ladies to participate in sports and keep their physical form without breaking the strict customs of the late 19th century. Since then, netball has developed and spread throughout the world as one of most popular sports for teenage girls. It's well recognised as one of the best fitness sports and their are always local, national and worldwide competitions running. Just recently Queensland team, the Firebirds, took home gold for the Australian and New Zealand championship Although only played in the Commonwealth Games, its ever growing popularity insures netball will make it to the Olympics.
Basically There are seven players on each team and the aim of the game is to get the ball in the opposing goal hoop as many times as possible throughout a 60 minute match. The netball court is 100 ft long by 50 ft wide, approximately the size of a tennis court. The court is split by two lines that divide the court into thirds. At both ends of the court there is a shooting semicircle and a ten ft goal post with no back board. Each team member has a specific position that is restricted to an area on the court. These restricted areas have an attacking and defending player in them, each from an opposing team. There are also many rules and restrictions that have been developed to prevent certain problems and allow the players to be challenged by this complexity. Netball is a very unique team activity that is fast paced and builds health related fitness through its target of training principles and performance capacity. It's a common and ideal sport for teenage girls looking for a fun competitive way to get fit.
For more a deeper insight on this sport, I had an interview with with local netball coach Jennefer Cox and got her outlook on the benefits of playing netball.
Basically There are seven players on each team and the aim of the game is to get the ball in the opposing goal hoop as many times as possible throughout a 60 minute match. The netball court is 100 ft long by 50 ft wide, approximately the size of a tennis court. The court is split by two lines that divide the court into thirds. At both ends of the court there is a shooting semicircle and a ten ft goal post with no back board. Each team member has a specific position that is restricted to an area on the court. These restricted areas have an attacking and defending player in them, each from an opposing team. There are also many rules and restrictions that have been developed to prevent certain problems and allow the players to be challenged by this complexity. Netball is a very unique team activity that is fast paced and builds health related fitness through its target of training principles and performance capacity. It's a common and ideal sport for teenage girls looking for a fun competitive way to get fit.
For more a deeper insight on this sport, I had an interview with with local netball coach Jennefer Cox and got her outlook on the benefits of playing netball.
Me: It’s known that netball is definitely one of the most beneficial sports when it comes to improvement in fields such as performance capacities, principles of training and overall increased health and fitness. But how and why do they incorporate these specific principles in their training? To answer these questions I have brought along a local netball coach of the Under 14’s Kedron netball team. Hello Jenny, thanks for coming along today
Jenny: ‘Hi, thanks for having me’
Me: “Now as you can see I have many questions, let me start off by asking why children deicide to join netball’
Jenny: ‘Well Sophie, to be honest, mostly they are encouragement by their parents at a young age to join with friends because as a social and outdoor hobby. However, as the children mature they learn that netball is also a competitive, complex sport and is fun and exciting way to stay fit. I have found with young girls, almost 80% continuing to play through primary and high school.
Me: “Wow, that’s great. So you mention that netball is a very complex sport. How so?
Jenny: ‘Well netball doesn’t simply involve throwing a ball back and forth; it requires specific principles of training in order for the girls to progress to new levels of the game. Currently, I coach the girls once a week in order to keep an adequate frequency in their workouts. However, we also include an extra session ever month in which we focus on targeting specificity each position. I make sure I include a variety into my training session in order to prepare the girls all aspects of netball. This includes sprints, jumps, passing and weights and each week I try to incorporate another technical drill in order to apply the principle of progression. Lastly, I always encourage the girls to raise their intensity whilst training and the outcome is visible through each game where they continue to improve.
Me: That’s fantastic Jenny. It’s obvious that netball coaches aim to include a wide variety of training principles into their training which is very beneficial for the players. Now many of our readers like to know what particular performance capacities are used in each activity, can you label any specific ones that netball targets?
Jenny: Of course! Netball is well known for its diverse range of performance capacities due the variety in our trainings and the different rules applied that you must adapt to in the game. Most people aren't naturally equipped with these abilities straight away, but netball works towards improving them. For example, whilst in possession of the netball, players aren't allowed to step with the ball. This is difficult as netball is a fast paced game and therefore the players must be equipped with balance and muscular strength to start and stop. Similarly, the girls find that overtime there speed and muscle endurance increases due to the progressive overload from trainings. Another vital characteristic is co-ordination. Being a sport that involves a ball, girls must continue to develop their co-ordination skills by constantly practising throwing and catching. Although this seems unhelpful long term, scientists have found that by developing this skill, you will find improvement in thing such as driving and cooking. These are just some of the many performance capacities that coaches aim to improve not only for netball but long term benefits.
Me: So our website, ‘Fit for Life’, is all about promoting wellbeing through fitness to teens, how do you think engaging and advertising netball helps to successfully influence teenagers to keep healthy and fit?
Netball is so popular that there are many easily-accessible, local organisation set up that run weekly games for any age groups. I understand through the media that netball is a very popular sport within teenager girls which is fantastic. By playing netball, you’re successfully promoting others to join this support and get the exercise that many teenagers are lacking. Not only is it important to exercise for fitness but for wellbeing and as netball is directing at the younger generation, we are influencing children to have a healthy future. A major benefit would be the community’s attitude and support with helping the girls raise money and funds for the exciting tournaments and competitions. Although the thought of competitions encourage players to exercise, I believe the main way that netball promotes fitness is through the ability to exercise with your friends and bring your family along to watch. The dedication that the children have and the support from family is definitely the best part about being a coach.
Me: That’s awesome; it’s obvious why netball has made it onto our website, due to its extensive list of performance capacities, training principles and promotions of overall health and fitness. I personally encourage anyone looking for an exciting scheduled workout with family or friends, to sign up with netball. That’s all we have time for today, I’m Sophie and you’re listening to ‘Fit for Life Broadcast’, for more fun sports, visit our website other than that, stay fit.
Jenny: ‘Hi, thanks for having me’
Me: “Now as you can see I have many questions, let me start off by asking why children deicide to join netball’
Jenny: ‘Well Sophie, to be honest, mostly they are encouragement by their parents at a young age to join with friends because as a social and outdoor hobby. However, as the children mature they learn that netball is also a competitive, complex sport and is fun and exciting way to stay fit. I have found with young girls, almost 80% continuing to play through primary and high school.
Me: “Wow, that’s great. So you mention that netball is a very complex sport. How so?
Jenny: ‘Well netball doesn’t simply involve throwing a ball back and forth; it requires specific principles of training in order for the girls to progress to new levels of the game. Currently, I coach the girls once a week in order to keep an adequate frequency in their workouts. However, we also include an extra session ever month in which we focus on targeting specificity each position. I make sure I include a variety into my training session in order to prepare the girls all aspects of netball. This includes sprints, jumps, passing and weights and each week I try to incorporate another technical drill in order to apply the principle of progression. Lastly, I always encourage the girls to raise their intensity whilst training and the outcome is visible through each game where they continue to improve.
Me: That’s fantastic Jenny. It’s obvious that netball coaches aim to include a wide variety of training principles into their training which is very beneficial for the players. Now many of our readers like to know what particular performance capacities are used in each activity, can you label any specific ones that netball targets?
Jenny: Of course! Netball is well known for its diverse range of performance capacities due the variety in our trainings and the different rules applied that you must adapt to in the game. Most people aren't naturally equipped with these abilities straight away, but netball works towards improving them. For example, whilst in possession of the netball, players aren't allowed to step with the ball. This is difficult as netball is a fast paced game and therefore the players must be equipped with balance and muscular strength to start and stop. Similarly, the girls find that overtime there speed and muscle endurance increases due to the progressive overload from trainings. Another vital characteristic is co-ordination. Being a sport that involves a ball, girls must continue to develop their co-ordination skills by constantly practising throwing and catching. Although this seems unhelpful long term, scientists have found that by developing this skill, you will find improvement in thing such as driving and cooking. These are just some of the many performance capacities that coaches aim to improve not only for netball but long term benefits.
Me: So our website, ‘Fit for Life’, is all about promoting wellbeing through fitness to teens, how do you think engaging and advertising netball helps to successfully influence teenagers to keep healthy and fit?
Netball is so popular that there are many easily-accessible, local organisation set up that run weekly games for any age groups. I understand through the media that netball is a very popular sport within teenager girls which is fantastic. By playing netball, you’re successfully promoting others to join this support and get the exercise that many teenagers are lacking. Not only is it important to exercise for fitness but for wellbeing and as netball is directing at the younger generation, we are influencing children to have a healthy future. A major benefit would be the community’s attitude and support with helping the girls raise money and funds for the exciting tournaments and competitions. Although the thought of competitions encourage players to exercise, I believe the main way that netball promotes fitness is through the ability to exercise with your friends and bring your family along to watch. The dedication that the children have and the support from family is definitely the best part about being a coach.
Me: That’s awesome; it’s obvious why netball has made it onto our website, due to its extensive list of performance capacities, training principles and promotions of overall health and fitness. I personally encourage anyone looking for an exciting scheduled workout with family or friends, to sign up with netball. That’s all we have time for today, I’m Sophie and you’re listening to ‘Fit for Life Broadcast’, for more fun sports, visit our website other than that, stay fit.
Local Associations near Brisbane
Western Districts Netball Association
Waratah Avenue, Graceville QLD 4075
(07) 3379 7481
Brisbane Netball Association
470 Rode Road, Chermside QLD 4032
(07) 3350 2035
MacGregor Netball Association
Granadilla Street, Macgregor QLD 4109
(07) 3345 9386
South Brisbane Strikers Netball Association
Allandale Street, Salisbury QLD 4107
0402 506 602
Metropolitan Districts Netball Association
Robinson Street, Coorparoo QLD 4151
(07) 3397 1529
Waratah Avenue, Graceville QLD 4075
(07) 3379 7481
Brisbane Netball Association
470 Rode Road, Chermside QLD 4032
(07) 3350 2035
MacGregor Netball Association
Granadilla Street, Macgregor QLD 4109
(07) 3345 9386
South Brisbane Strikers Netball Association
Allandale Street, Salisbury QLD 4107
0402 506 602
Metropolitan Districts Netball Association
Robinson Street, Coorparoo QLD 4151
(07) 3397 1529