Netball

Netball

Noun · /ˈnet.bɔːl/

Definition

A team sport played by two teams of seven players, in which goals are scored by throwing a ball through a raised horizontal ring (with a net hanging from it) at each end of a rectangular court. Players may not run with the ball and must pass it within three seconds. The sport being one of the most widely played in the world, particularly in Commonwealth countries, and predominantly but not exclusively played by women and girls.

Origin

Derived from basket ball (as the game of basketball was originally called), with the basket being replaced by a net — hence net-ball. The game being developed from an early version of basketball taught in England in 1895 by Martina Bergman-Österberg, who adapted the game for female players. The rules being standardised through the early 20th century. The International Federation of Netball Associations (now World Netball) being established in 1960. Netball being particularly strong in Australia, New Zealand, the West Indies, England, South Africa, and other Commonwealth nations.