Nail-biting finishes, spectacular passes and goals combined with fast feet and quick reflexes make netball one of the fastest growing sports to watch and play in Australia. 1.2 million Australians played the game in 2003, over 20 per cent of them men. Internationally, Australia is a leader in netball and in Brisbane there are plenty of ways to get involved as a player or spectator.
In 2008 the Queensland Firebirds will take part in the ANZ Championship, the brand new semi-professional netball competition in Australia.
We’ve brought the essential Brisbane netball facts into the centre circle and pass them on to you to shoot your own goals.
Australian Netball Team
Internationally, Australia is a leading force in netball, pursued aggressively by New Zealand, South Africa and England.
Go to Netball Australia for news and information about the Australian Netball Team.
See what else is happening in the world of netball on the International Federation of Netball Associations’ site.
Queensland Firebirds
The Australian national competition has taken a big step forward and in 2008 will be known as the ANZ Championship for the first time.
Our team, the Queensland Firebirds have competed in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy since it began in 1997 and will go into the new international semi-professional competition, the ANZ Championship, with new colours, a new logo, a new uniform and a new home court - the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
With you cheering them on they could make it all the way to the national final.
For information about the Firebirds including photos, the latest news and tickets to games in 2008 go to www.firebirds.net.au
Queensland competition
In Queensland, the top competition is the Ergon Energy Trophy and Gatorade Cup. Teams from Brisbane go up against players from Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Toowoomba.
Details about the fixtures and results, tickets and information on other competitions, are found on Netball Queensland.
So you want to play?
Netball isn’t just a fast-paced spectator sport, it’s a game that 1.2 million people play in Australia.
It doesn’t matter where you live, there’s a local netball association you can join who are always keen to hear from new players. Training is held on a range of days and times to suit everybody.
ourbrisbane.com also lists recreational netball clubs, including indoor facilities for men, women or mixed teams.
While the official netball season runs during winter, it is common to find indoor competitions running all year.
Allison from Everton Park says: “My fave way to keep in shape is to stay active, (including) the weekly netball competition at the Valley Sports Centre…”
Netball for kids
For all those youngsters out there who aspire to be just like the Firebirds there is sure to be a club close to home.
Netball is a popular sport for children too. From five years of age they can learn and play Fun Net or for eight to ten year olds, there’s Netta.
Apparently, 95 per cent of Australian schoolgirls have played netball, so if your daughter lives and breathes the sport, you might like to find out more about the schools that offer an excellence program for netball.
The Vicky Wilson Cup is an elite interschool competition, named after the inspirational former skipper of the Australian Netball team.
Rules, places to play and blowing the whistle
Read the rules of netball, by the International Netball Federation.
Or frequently asked questions on the Netball Australia site, including: “how high is the goal post?”.
One of Brisbane’s prime netball grounds is at Downey Park, Windsor.
There are world-standard netball courts at the Hibiscus Centre, Mt Gravatt which can be hired by sporting clubs (the courts can also be used for volleyball, basketball and futsal).
Find out how to become an umpire or coach (get your whistle ready!).
I was sad to find out that the Firebirds v Tactix game was completely sold out! Any chance that we could get a new venue to seat more spectators?