Fact Sheet

About Netball America

Netball America, the premier national Netball organization in the USA, is dedicated to the development and growth of Netball in the USA.  We are focused on showing how Netball creates an exciting atmosphere of participation and supports individual progress while encouraging team unity.  Netball America seeks to have Netball included as part of the core curriculum for educational systems throughout the USA as a way of promoting good health and aiding in the education of youth.

Netball America is a registered 501c(3) not-for-profit organization and currently has members located in 27 states across the USA.  Netball America is the National Governing Body for University Team USA Netball who will represent at the 2012 World University Netball Championships and is the National Governing Body for the 2013 Air New Zealand Golden Oldies World Netball Festival and we welcome your support.

What is Netball?

Netball is similar to basketball although the rules, equipment and team numbers are slightly different:

  • No dribbling;
  • No running with the ball;
  • 7 players per team;
  • Ball must be passed in 3 seconds;
  • Ball and basket are slightly smaller and there is no backboard; and
  • Players are designated to play within certain areas of the court.

Netball is played in a competitive yet non aggressive environment enabling players of different ages to become actively involved.  More importantly, Netball is an all inclusive sport that can be played by females and males and offers a range of positions that allow for the application of different skill levels.

History of Netball

Canadian sports coach, Professor James Naismith invented the game of basketball in 1891 and by 1895 the game of Netball, an adaptation based on the concept of basketball, had evolved.   The sport was then taken throughout the Commonwealth countries of the world and is currently played at the semi-professional level in England, Jamaica, South Africa, Singapore, Malawi, Hong Kong, Fiji, Australia & New Zealand.

Netball is enjoyed in over 70 countries and by more than 20 million people worldwide.  In 1995 it became a recognized Olympic sport and three years later, was played in the Commonwealth Games at Kuala Lumpur.  Netball competition was also a part of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.  Currently the Netball World rankings are: #1-Australia, #2-New Zealand, #3-England and #4-Jamaica.

Netball in the USA

Although Netball has been in the USA for over 30 years, Netball America is the first to introduce it at grass roots level which provides an opporunity for us to create excitement in potential players at an early age.  This is critical if American Netball is to become a dominant player on the international Netball circuit.  The recent partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and New York City Housing Authority, coupled with support of several Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) teams have positive engagements for Netball in the USA and are steps in the right direction.

You can download our fact sheet here.