History of Netball
Netball is derived from an early form of basketball, which was brought to England form America at the turn of the century.
Great Britain is considered to be the home of netball. Although an American developed the game, it has been successful largely as a result of British influence.
Dr Toles, an American lecturer working in London with student teachers at Madame Osterberg’s Physical Training College in 1895, introduced a form of basketball which had been played by women in the United States.
There had originally been a raised target at each end of the court, but Dr Toles changed this to wastepaper baskets with the aim being to get the ball into the opposing basket.
At first, there were no boundaries and few rules, but as the game became more popular and began to be played outside a larger ball was introduced, along with rings and nets, and the court was marked into the layout it has today. The game was then called Netball.
By 1900 the first set of rules had been set out by the Physical Education Association and the game was introduced to schools by the teachers who had played the game during training.
The game was popular is it did not require a great deal of space or equipment.
Netball is played mainly by women but an increasing number of men are discovering the game.
Netball is played in over 50 countries and on all five continents.
The World’s leading netball countries are Australia and New Zealand and between them they have won all the world titles that have been played so far.
The Welsh Netball Association was founded in 1945, though it is known that organised netball was played in Wales in the 1930’s.
The aims of netball are to promote, encourage and further the game of netball in Wales.