Netball
A court sport where two teams compete against each other, scoring points by throwing a round ball through a hoop.
Netball evolved from—and was initially referred to as—women’s basketball. The sport was first introduced to Australia in 1897. 1,3
With increasing popularity, standardised international rules were established in the 1960's for netball as a distinct sport. 3
Discover more about netball through the Clearinghouse evidence base:
- Modified Sports - adaptations that make netball more inclusive and accessible.
- Australian Sport History - history and Hall of Fame information about netball.
Evolution:
- All Australia Women’s Basketball Association [1927-197?]
- All Australia Netball Association [197?-1993]
- Netball Australia [1993-]
Participation
An estimated 477,000 Australians [aged 15+] participated in netball at least once in 2025. 2
An estimated 239,000 Australian children [aged 0-14] participated in netball at least once in 2025. 2
An estimated 400,000 Australian women and 76,000 men [aged 15+] participated in netball at least once in 2025. 2
Explore further participation statistics for netball through the AusPlay online portal., opens in a new tab
Governing body
Netball Australia, opens in a new tab is the organisation recognised by government at all levels as the national controlling body for the sport of netball in Australia.
An interstate carnival in 1927 saw the creation of Australia’s first national body, the All Australia Women’s Basketball Association. 1
As netball evolved, including the creation of international rules, standards, and competitions, the Australian national body was renamed in the 1970s to the All Australia Netball Association. It then became Netball Australia in 1993. 1, 3
REFERENCES
- The History of Netball Australia, opens in a new tab, Netball Australia, (accessed 13 January 2026).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 6 May 2026).
- History of Netball, opens in a new tab, World Netball, (accessed 6 May 2026).
Documents
The Clearinghouse for Sport has sought permission from relevant organisations for the inclusion of their documents in this archive. Copyright ownership remains vested with the organisation and as such permission from the copyright owner should be sought if you wish to communicate, adapt or reproduce these documents.
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2025[PDF • 6.58 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2024[PDF • 10.99 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2023[PDF • 7.56 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2022[PDF • 15.02 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2021[PDF • 7.25 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2020[PDF • 4.54 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2019[PDF • 5.24 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2018[PDF • 3.71 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2017[PDF • 5.52 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2016[PDF • 3.69 mb]
- Netball Australia Directors' Report 2015[PDF • 5.43 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2014[PDF • 7.82 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2013[PDF • 3.9 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2012[PDF • 4.5 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2011[PDF • 10.01 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2010[PDF • 3.57 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2009[PDF • 3.54 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2008[PDF • 10.25 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2007[PDF • 1.77 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2006[PDF • 2.48 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2005[PDF • 3.43 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2004[PDF • 2.24 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2003[PDF • 10.59 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2001[PDF • 7.72 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 2000[PDF • 5 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 1998[PDF • 6.25 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 1997[PDF • 5.33 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 1996[PDF • 1.48 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 1995[PDF • 11.65 mb]
- Netball Australia Annual Report 1994[PDF • 1.88 mb]
- All Australia Netball Association Annual Report 1993[PDF • 6.35 mb]
- All Australia Netball Association Annual Report 1992[PDF • 2 mb]
- All Australia Netball Association Annual Report 1990-1991[PDF • 1.63 mb]
- All Australia Netball Association Annual Report 1989-1990[PDF • 1.65 mb]
- All Australia Netball Association Annual Report 1988-1989[PDF • 2.68 mb]
- All Australia Netball Association Annual Report 1987-1988[PDF • 2.23 mb]
- All Australia Netball Association Annual Report 1986-1987[PDF • 3.27 mb]
- All Australia Netball Association Annual Report 1985-1986[PDF • 1.59 mb]
Netball Australia Annual Reports 1999, 2002 not held.
- Netball Australia Special Purpose Financial Report 2009[PDF • 515.64 kb]
- Netball Australia Special Purpose Financial Report 2008[PDF • 1.39 mb]
- Made in Netball: Netball Australia Strategic Plan 2025-2035[PDF • 2.6 mb]
- Netball Australia 2022-2024 Strategic Plan[PDF • 13.03 mb]
- Netball Australia Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-2018[PDF • 1.23 mb]
- Netball Australia Coach Approach (2015)[PDF • 7.59 mb]
- Netball Australia Coaching Blueprint (2015)[PDF • 6.73 mb]
- Netball Australia selectors resource (2010)[PDF • 491.29 kb]
- Netball Australia Volunteer Management Plan (2009)[PDF • 1.03 mb]
- Down to earth: A practical guide to safe and effective landing in netball (2006)[PDF • 1.23 mb]
