| |
New Zealand > Sports > Netball
In New Zealand, netball is regarded as the premier women's sport and one
of the country's top sports, with over 120,000 registered members, and a
number of players who are involved socially. While netball is one of the
most popular team sports for women in New Zealand, over the last ten years
it has become increasingly popular with men. Men have found netball to be an
exciting and competitive sport, with social advantages. Netball's popularity
means new and existing players often play and train all year round and
consequently, standards have become increasingly commendable. Netball caters
for many people with a broad range of playing abilities, ages, and skill
levels. Netball provides opportunities ultimately for fitness, social
contacts, top competition and the opportunity to work in a team environment.
For spectators, it is an action packed, fast and exciting game well worth
watching and many national and international level games are broadcast live
on TV.
The game of netball originated as a derivative of the game of basketball.
The first international tournament team played in Australia in 1938, under
completely different rules than the team had been previously accustomed. It
was after this tournament at the 1958 Council meeting in New Zealand that it
was unanimously decided that New Zealand Netball adopt the International
rules. The main factor was playing with seven players instead of nine. The
first netball season began in 1961, and New Zealand became world champions
in 1967 at the second world championship tournament. International netball
is played in approximately 50 countries. The Vodafone Silver Ferns are now
working towards another victory at the next World Championships.
The aim of the game is dual. There are seven players on each team, and
each team tries to shoot as many goals as they can through their own goal
while preventing the other team from doing the same. A player's position on
the court determines which of the two functions they concentrate on most -
there are both attack and defence positions.
Some of the most influential people involved in netball over time have
been Lois Muir, Waimarama Taumaunu, and Joan Harnett. Lois Muir has been an
outstanding player and coach of netball in New Zealand, and it was under her
guidance that New Zealand netball became the best in the world, and also
made herself one of the most esteemed and dominant figures in New Zealand
sport. Waimarama Taumaunu was only a teenage when she began playing for
Canterbury Reps, and she then went on to become a top class goal defence and
captain. Joan Harnett transformed the game of netball from schoolgirls in
frocks to international status. Harnett captained New Zealand 45 times,
playing a total of 100 games for her country.
Netball is the largest participation sport in Secondary schools in New
Zealand and is still growing. However, it’s status is not only driven by the
Vodafone Silver Ferns (the top national team & vodaphone is the corporate
sponsor who in effect owns the team), but several other events including the
Coca-Cola Cup, which is New Zealand Netball's premier domestic division.
Other events include the Fisher & Paykel Series and Cup, the Smokefree
Netball Provincial Championships, the NZ Age Group Championships, and the
Secondary School Championships, among other regional and local tournaments.
Netball is a recognized Olympic and Commonwealth Games sport.
If you want to become involved with netball in your community, look to
your school, local netball club or association. |
|
|
|
