1. Word Count: 1054
International Study: Netball in Australia
Introduction:
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC), established in 1989, is the government
policy that plays a major role in the development and operation of Australian sport.
It is compromised of six divisions:
- The Australian Institute of Sport
- Sport Performance and Development
- Corporate Services
- Commercial and Facilities
- Finance
The mission of the ASC is ‘to enrich the lives of all Australians through sport’ and the
vision is ‘to continue to be recognised as the world leader in developing high
performance and community sport’. Sport us an ‘integral part of Australian life’ with
80% of the population participating in sport. The sporting ethos includes high levels of
mass participation and involvement but also strongly emphasises the importance of
winning and competitiveness, due to it being a nation that very much prides itself on
sport.
Globally it is accepted as one of the worlds top sporting nations and is ranked in the top
ten in many sports. The county is currently ranked number 1 in the International
Federation Netball Associations Current World Rankings (appendices 1)
The national sports system is a partnership between the
national sporting organisation and their affiliated bodies:
‘Netball Australia’ is the national governing body for netball
within Australia. It was founded in 1927 and has the vision of
‘netball – one team, one game, one goal’. It also has a mission
and a large number of values (appendices 2)
The Aboriginals are the countries indigenous population and a wide variety of religions
are socially accepted in Australia.
The climate varies from state to state due to Australia being of such a large landmass
(approximately 7,600,000km²). Generally the weather is relatively hot and there are
low levels of rainfall.
Grass Roots and Mass participation:
Sport is a large part of schooling and netball is taught in physical education and health
lessons and clubs also allows students to participate together in an interschool
competition or alternatively enter as a team in a local league.
1

2. Word Count: 1054
A partnership agreement was signed
between netball Australia and school Case Study: Ivanhoe Grammar School in
sport Australia in 2002 where they Victoria competes in the AGSV
agreed to work co-operatively and in (Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria)
partnership and in the promotion and as its form of interschool competition,
development of school netball where 10 schools within Victoria
programme at both state and national (appendices 5) regularly compete in both
level. The International Schoolgirls leagues and championships in many
Netball Challenge offers schools the sports, including Netball. This was set up
chance to compete at a high national in 1920 and the best from each school
level with a different state hosting the form an AGSV representative team who
championship each year. annually competes against the APS,
Associated Public Schools Team.
(appendices 5)
There are approximately 380 000 participants in netball within Australia. Community
Sport is extremely large and netball grass root level participation is large with many
leagues available for all ages and abilities.
Netball Australia has set up a ‘junior policy’ which aims to assist the provision of
quality sport and experiences for young people, encouraging life-long involvement. The
Junior Netball policy applies to participants aged 5-17 and has seven main guidelines
(appendices 3).
San Remo NetSetGO! Programme has been developed to provide children from 5-
10years old with the best possible leaning and playing
experience meaning they develop a positive introduction to
netball, with high levels of enjoyment leading to continued
participation in the sport. It involves skill based activities,
minor games and modified matches in a fun and safe
environment aiming to give all individuals experience and
personal achievement, enhanced self esteem, social
cooperation and skill development. (Appendices 4)
The Australian Sports Commission provides funding to Netball Australia to coordinate
the delivery of structured sporting activities and sports capacity to Indigenous
communities across Australia. Netball Australia funds; Netball ACT, Netball Victoria
and Netball WA through the national indigenous sporting development programme.
The right for people with disabilities to be involved in all aspects of the game is funded
by Netball Australia. The individuals involved in netball including, coaches,
administrators, officials and players: a ‘disability action plan’ has been developed to
provide everyone with the access and provision to participate in Netball around
Australia.
The uptake of individuals coaching and umpiring is
also widely encouraged and volunteers often allow
local leagues to be successful with both coaches and
umpires contributing regularly to netball.
Development with regards to coaching offers a 6
2

3. Word Count: 1054
stage framework (appendices 6) and umpiring (appendices 7)
Elite Development:
The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) plays a major role in the elite development of
Netball in Australia: The 2009 AIS Netball Brochure gives a detailed
summary of the provision for netballers at the AIS.
Netball was one of the eight founding sports of the AIS and remains
the ‘key netball development programme’ providing national athletes
with world-leading sports science and medical services, top class sporting facilities and
coaches and the opportunity to combine sports training with travelling, work and
studying. Scholarships are offered to athletes that compete at national or international
level the training the selected athletes are given is based on the Australian Netball
Diamonds. The athletes
compete in the ‘New Idea Case Study:
Australian Netball League’ a The AIS netball Team recently travelled to South
league which bridges the gap Africa for a 13 day tour to compete in 3 matches
between state and territories against the U21 South African team and in
competitions and the ANZ another 3 matches against the EC Comets
championship. Provincial Team, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan
University Netball Team and the Gauteng
Thunderbirds. Simone McKinnis the AIS head
coach and U21 Australian Coach lead the tour
with four other support staff. The trip was part pf
the programme that goes on an international tour
annually, aiming to let players experince the
rigours of travelling, cultural diversity and the
opportunity to play against world class opposition.
There is the opportunity to represent the Australian Netball
Diamonds at 17/U 19/U 21/U and Open level. This is
obviously the highest level elite level of competition
available. The Australian Netball Diamonds of compete in the commonwealth games
and the International test series in addition to the ‘Holden Netball Test Series’
competing in five matches against the New Zealand Silver Ferns.
The ANZ championship began in 2008, and succeeds two
national leagues: Australia’s Commonwealth Bank Trophy and
New Zealand’s National Bank Cup. There are ten teams in
total, five from Australia and five from New Zealand
(appendices 8). It is owned by Trans-Tasman Netball League
Ltd which is a joint venture between Netball Australia and
Netball New Zealand. It is the first semi-professional netball
competition in Australasia.
Critical Analysis:
Netball in Australia is well supported and funded by ‘Netball Australia’ and the
Australian government through the Australian Sports Commission. At grass root level
the game is played by a large number of people and supported by the extensive network
3

4. Word Count: 1054
of umpires and coaches. Netball is currently the top in the world rankings and which
shows the success of their elite development programmes and the involvement of the
Australian Institute of Sport. The ASC is continuously improving the provision for
indigenous communities and the disabled in all areas of the sport. Netball in Australia
consists of both well developed mass participation and that provides for continued
success on an international level.
Bibliography:
www.netballaustralia.com.au
www.ausport.gov.au
www.ausport.gov.au/ais
Appendices:
1) IFNA 2009 Netball World Rankings:
Ranking Team Played Weighted Points Rating
1 Australia 35 26 4515 174
2 New Zealand 37 28 4547 162
3 England 52 39 5823 149
4 Jamaica 43 34 4475 132
5 Samoa 19 14 1,603 115
6 Malawi 21 17 1,935 114
7 South Africa 35 25 2,707 108
8 Fiji 19 14 1,505 108
9 Trinidad and Tobago 27 23 2410 105
10 Cook Islands 10 9 848 94
11 Papua New Guinea 15 11 1,030 94
12 Barbados 28 21 1,784 85
13 Scotland 26 21 1,669 79
14 Singapore 39 28 2,058 74
15 St Vincent & The Grenadines 17 11 788 72
16 Wales 27 20 1412 71
17 Sri Lanka 14 11 695 63
18 Botswana 13 12 741 62
19 Northern Ireland 19 15 823 55
20 Malaysia 11 9 416 46
21 Canada 20 15 624 42
22 India 8 4 69 17
2) Mission: commercially driven, stakeholder focused and recognised as a world class
sporting organisation.
4

5. Word Count: 1054
Values: Passion, Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, Accountability
Definition of Success: One brand for netball, netball is an Australian success story,
member’s share and enjoys netballs achievements and success, more people experience
netball.
Achieve success by: Understanding the environment in which we operate, being
responsible financial managers, focusing on our members, developing quality
processes, developing quality people, valuing our tradition and culture, high
performance excellence.
3) - Guideline 1: Attracting young people to netball and keeping them involved
- Guideline 2: Physical Growth and Maturation
- Guideline 3: Netball Pathways
- Guideline 4: Forming Links
- Guideline 5: People Making it Happen
- Guideline 6: Quality Coaching
- Guideline 7: Safety considerations and legal management of netball
4) Major objectives of the San Remo NetSetGO! programme:
1. To provide every primary school aged child in Australia with the
opportunity to experience netball.
2. To deliver a national junior development program that promotes netball
participation.
3. To address the issue of childhood obesity by providing a low cost, easily
accessible and community
based exercise option for primary school aged children, in particular young girls.
4. To provide primary school aged children, especially girls with the
opportunity to meet and interact
with elite netball role models.
5. To provide a skill development program that provides young girls are with
the same opportunities
to experience sport, develop self-esteem and learn new skills.
6. To provide opportunities for children and parents to participate in physical
activity together.
5) AGSV
Member Schools
Assumption College
Camberwell Grammar School
Ivanhoe Grammar School
Marcellin College
Mentone Grammar
The Peninsula School
Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School
Trinity Grammar School
Yarra Valley Grammar
5

6. Word Count: 1054
6)
7)
PRE-REQUISITES PATHWAYS ASSESSMENT QUALIFICATIONS
Theory
Practical Test
Examination
Participating in Rules Section 1 Local Game
Level I Course C Badge
Discussion workshops 70-79% (4x15min quarters)
(integrated with
Introductory Level Section 1 Local Game
B Badge
Officiating General Attending Rules in Action 80-89% (4x15min quarters)
Principles) course(s)
Section 1 State League Game
A Badge
90-100% (4x15 min quarters)
Mentoring
2 quarters of 2 State League
games in one of the
Practice Umpiring at following MOs - NSW;
appropriate level Section 2
SA; VIC AA Badge
90-100%
1 game at
Attend Umpire Highest Level of
Development Programmes Competition in the Country
Rules In Action
Self Reflection
(2 Parts)
Individual Development
+
Screening for AA Highest Level of
Level II Course International
Competition International Umpire
Umpire Theory
Introductory Level in the Country with Award (IUA)
(includes Advanced Level Examination
Officiating General International Experience
Officiating General Principles course (available
Principles) online)
Advanced Level
Officiating General
Principles
6

7. Word Count: 1054
8)
Australian Teams: New Zealand Teams:
Adelaide Thunderbirds Canterbury Tactix
Melbourne Vixens Central Pulse
NSW Swifts Northern Mystics
Queensland Firebirds Southern Steel
West Coast Fever Waikato / Bay of Plenty Magic
7