Netball is a fast-paced, athletic and team-driven sport. It is a sport that enjoys record-breaking participation, viewing and attendance figures year on year in the UK, and is set to be one of the most popular and highly anticipated events at Birmingham 2022.

A Quick Overview

Netball is a seven-a-side sport, with teamwork being fundamental to success. When a player is in possession of the ball at any point in the game, they are unable to move, meaning a squad needs to work as one synchronised unit to score. A player must pass or shoot the ball within just three seconds of receiving it, so speed, agility and sharp focus are key.

The team who score the most goals in the duration of the high-impact 60-minute game will be triumphant. Only the goal attack and goal shooter are able to take a chance at shooting at any point, with the goal keeper and goal defence on the opposing team’s key focus being to halt their efforts. These four players on each side of the court are the only ones able to enter the shooting circle. There are three mid-court players on each team comprised of wing attack, centre and wing defence positions and their focus is to transport the ball to their shooters and to defend the opposing team when they try to do the same.

When marking a player on the opposing team, a three-foot distance must be kept between the marking player and the player with the ball, meaning height, flexibility and some almost seemingly unhuman leaping can often be seen on court.

Each player faces restrictions on areas of the court they can step into, so sharp focus and tactics are vital in this rapid game.

Anticipation is already high ahead of an exciting tournament at Birmingham 2022 for the world’s best netball teams to fight for gold under one roof.

Previous Commonwealth Games Appearances 

Netball made its debut at the 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur. As a core sport, it has appeared at every edition since. Anticipation is mounting ahead of Birmingham 2022, following England’s historic win at the last tournament in the Gold Coast. Netball fans the length and breadth of the country will be out in force to see the England side strive to protect their victory against the world’s best netball teams on home soil.