Origins of Netball

It took a long time, numerous people, and multiple countries to get the game of netball, as you know it.

Did you know that it took a Canadian immigrant, American sports teacher, and a British college to get the game of Netball to the Britain and its Commonwealths?

A sports teacher in New Orleans misinterpreted James Naismith’s, basketball inventor, tips as rules. She thought the lines that he drew meant players could not cross them, therefore players then and now can not leave certain zones. Also, when the game reached Britain, no one dribbled. These rules were used in the first ever game at Madame Ostenburg’s College in 1895.

Did you know that it took 69 years for netball rules to become official and standard?

Even as the popularity of netball grew, rules were never established. Up until 1960, players from different areas and countries were using different rules. Some games were played with nine players while others were five-a-side. Another quirk was whether players could dribble or not.

Did you know that it took representatives from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and The West Indies to standardise the rules?

These countries established The International Federation of Women’s Basketball and Netball. This body then established the rules and the World Championship tournaments that are held every four years.

You know that the next step for netball is the Olympics. Hopefully the IOC will recognize the growing, global presence of netball and make your wishes come true!

Netball in the Olympics

Netball being left out of the 2012 London Olympics seems preposterous to most Brits.

So, does netball deserve a spot in the olympics and why has it not received one yet?

The sport is overwhelmingly popular throughout the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. However, I have found numerous different estimates to how many people actually play netball globally. According to numerous sites, it seems to be a number around twenty million people in approximately 70 countries. This number both helps and hurts the cause.

This seems to be enough participation to put a sport into the Olympics. However, most of these people are from the Commonwealth countries. Other countries would experience huge growing pains by playing against the more experienced Commonwealth countries.

However, the sport is more popular than horseback riding, or curling, or even the recently added women’s boxing? Netball is played by every young girl throughout the UK and other countries as well. For my sister in Bristol Netball is her favourite sport. The rules are established and standardised, and the court can be adapted from a basketball court. Surely it can not be left out because it is too difficult to find a venue.

But, the rules are too hard and different to learn. However, once you figure out that the main goal is to get the ball in the net, it is fairly easy. Some people may not understand the fouls, but this happens in football, rugby, and basketball sometimes!

A prominent theory is that since mostly women play it, it will never be an Olympic sport. A more likely proposition is that its minimal popularity in the US, China, and mainland Europe hurts its chances. Hopefully, the IOC does not really have either of these mindsets.

The IOC does need to recognize the sport’s growth throughout the world. The BBC and IFNA are helping promote the sport, however more work is needed to help advertise it throughout the world’s population. A spot in the Olympics would do more for the sport than almost anything else. Millions, probably billions of eyes would get to see netball being played on a huge scale.

Maybe, netball should be in the Olympics to give all of the little girls who play it throughout schooling hope. Hope, that they will be able to represent their country just like any other athlete. Netballers deserve the same right as their fellow athletes: swimmers, runners, bikers, etc.

Netball for the Rio 2016 Olympics.