What is Netball?

If you tell people in the Netherlands that you play netball, the most common response is: “What is netball?”

While the sport is still relatively unknown in the Netherlands, netball is played by more than 20 million people in over 80 countries worldwide. It is especially popular in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, where it is one of the leading team sports.

For Dutch audiences, the easiest way to understand netball is to think of it as a sport with some similarities to Korfbal: both involve passing a ball, shooting into a raised goal, and emphasise teamwork, positioning, and strategy rather than physical contact. However, netball has different rules, positions, and a much larger global community.

Netball is a fast, tactical, and highly skill-based team sport, played by two teams of seven players. The game focuses on quick passing, movement, teamwork, and precision shooting. Although historically played mostly by women, netball is increasingly growing as a mixed-gender sport, with many teams and competitions now including both men and women.

Netball and Korfbal

Netball shares some similarities with Korfbal, but there are key differences — particularly in team structure, gameplay, and global reach.

Global participation

Netball is played by more than 20 million people across over 80 countries worldwide, making it one of the most widely played team sports globally. In comparison, Korfbal has an estimated 100,000–150,000 players, mostly concentrated in the Netherlands and Belgium. This means netball offers Dutch players the chance to connect with a much larger international community of players.

Goal structure

In netball, players shoot into a ring-shaped hoop with netting, similar to a basketball hoop but without a backboard, mounted on a 3.05 metre post on the goal line. In Korfbal, the basket is on a post within the field of play rather than at the end line. This makes netball shooting more precise, as the hoop is clearly positioned at the edge of the court.

Team structure

Netball teams consist of seven players, each with a defined position and restricted areas of the court where they can move. In Korfbal, teams have eight players and can move more freely within their half of the court. These differences make netball more structured, with each player’s role and court positioning strictly defined.

Movement and gameplay

Netball is mostly a non-contact sport, though modern rules allow some controlled physical contact, particularly in defence. Players must move strategically, pass quickly, and work as a team. They have three seconds to pass the ball when they receive it, making timing and positioning essential. Compared to Korfbal, netball restricts player movement to specific areas and limits contact, emphasising structured teamwork and court awareness.

The origins and growth of netball

Netball developed from basketball in the late 19th century. The sport emerged in 1899, when a physical education teacher in New Orleans misunderstood the recently created rules of basketball (originally established in 1891), creating a modified version with different movement rules and court structure.

As netball grew in popularity, the first official rules were published in 1901. From its earliest days, the game was played primarily by women and quickly became one of the most popular women’s sports in Commonwealth countries, particularly the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

Today, netball continues to grow internationally, with increasing participation and expanding opportunities for mixed-gender teams. Its fast-paced, tactical style, combined with a strong emphasis on teamwork, has made it a sport enjoyed by millions of players worldwide.

Netbal Nederland was established in 2020 to support the growth of the sport locally. Our mission is to introduce more people to netball, support the development of local clubs, and create opportunities for players to compete, develop, and connect with the international netball community.

Through clubs, leagues, and events, we aim to make netball more accessible and visible across the country, building a strong national community while linking Dutch players to the broader global netball network.

Het netbalveld

Een netbalveld is 30,5 m lang en 15,25 m breed. De langere zijden worden de zijlijnen genoemd en de kortere zijden de doellijnen. Het veld is verdeeld in drie gelijke delen: een middenveld en twee doelvelden. Deze delen worden gemarkeerd door twee dwarslijnen die parallel lopen aan de doellijnen.

De doelpalen zijn rond, 3,05 m hoog en staan in het midden van elke doellijn.

Netbalposities

GS (goal shooter) – mag schieten, maar alleen in het doelgebied.
GA (goal attack) – mag ook schieten, maar alleen in het doelgebied en het middengebied.
WA (wing attack) – mag in het doelgebied (niet in de doelcirkel) en het middengebied spelen en moet de bal naar de doelcirkel spelen.
C (centre) – mag overal spelen, behalve in de doelcirkels. Zijn taak is om de bal over het veld te verplaatsen.
WD (wing defence) – mag in het middengebied en het doelgebied (niet in de doelcirkel) spelen. Markeert de WA om te voorkomen dat deze de bal krijgt (verdedigen).
GD (goal defence) – mag in het doelgebied, inclusief de doelcirkel, en in het middengebied spelen. Markeert de GA, verdedigt de bal en probeert te voorkomen dat de GA schiet.
GK (goal keeper) – mag alleen in het doelgebied spelen en markeert de GS om te voorkomen dat de GS schiet.

Ready to get involved?

Netball is more than just a sport — it’s a community. Whether you want to play, help grow the game, or connect with players across the Netherlands, there’s a place for you.

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