Netball, a sport beloved by millions around the globe, is a unique and captivating game that showcases the talent, strategy, and coordination of its players. From its early beginnings to its evolving rules and ever-surprising World Cup events, the world of netball is full of intriguing facts. With its growing popularity, let’s delve deeper into the charm of this dynamic sport and its most prestigious event, the Netball World Cup.
The Netball World Cup 2023 took place from July 8 to the August 6 in Cape Town, South Africa and was the first to take place on the continent on Africa.
Here are 25 facts about netball and the Netball World Cup:
1. Netball originated as a version of basketball for women, invented in England in the late 19th century, and was initially called “women’s basketball”.
2. The first official rules of netball were published in 1901 by the Ling Association, named after Martina Bergman Österberg, a pioneer of physical education for women.
3. Unlike basketball, netball players are not allowed to move with the ball. They must remain stationary and pass the ball to another player within three seconds.
4. A netball team consists of seven players, each with specific positions and responsibilities. The positions are: Goal Shooter (GS), Goal Attack (GA), Wing Attack (WA), Centre (C), Wing Defence (WD), Goal Defence (GD), and Goal Keeper (GK).
5. Netball was first played at the international level in 1938, with Australia and New Zealand participating in the inaugural game.
6. The first Netball World Cup, originally called the World Netball Championships, was held in 1963 in Eastbourne, England.
7. As of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, Australia has won the most Netball World Cups, with 11 wins.
8. Despite being a predominantly female sport, mixed netball, which includes both male and female players, has gained popularity in recent years.
9. New Zealand’s Maria Folau holds the record for the most goals scored in a Netball World Cup match, scoring 65 goals in 2007.
10. The Netball World Cup is held every four years, similar to other major international sports events like the FIFA World Cup or the Olympic Games.
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11. The sport’s governing body, the International Netball Federation (INF), comprises more than 70 national netball associations as of 2021.
12. The shortest player ever to compete in the Netball World Cup was Eileen Whelan of Ireland, standing at just 5 feet tall.
13. The fastest goal in a Netball World Cup match was scored within 5 seconds of the start by Australia’s Caitlin Bassett in 2011.
14. In a unique rule, once a player receives the ball, they cannot take more than 1.5 steps. This rule encourages strategic passing and positioning.
15. The highest scoring Netball World Cup match was between Australia and Singapore in 1991, with Australia winning 113-12.
16. Despite its British origins, the sport is most popular in Commonwealth countries, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and many Caribbean nations.
17. Australia’s Sharelle McMahon holds the record for the most appearances at the Netball World Cup, having competed in five tournaments from 1999 to 2011.
18. The world record for the longest netball marathon stands at an astonishing 90 hours and was set by Netball SCO in Scotland in 2016.
19. The longest winning streak in Netball World Cup history belongs to Australia, who won every match from 1995 to 2011.
20. Netball was included as an official sport in the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 1998.
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21. Zimbabwe made its debut in the Netball World Cup in 2019, finishing in a respectable 8th place.
22. The 2019 Netball World Cup, held in Liverpool, England, had a record attendance with over 112,000 spectators.
23. In the 2019 Netball World Cup final, the New Zealand Silver Ferns beat the Australian Diamonds by just one goal, making it one of the closest finals in the history of the event.
24. Netball is played in more than 80 countries worldwide, but only a select few have qualified for the Netball World Cup.
25. The INF introduced a new ranking system in 2008, awarding points for each match played, with more points given for wins against higher-ranked teams.
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Netball, with its rich history and uniquely challenging set of rules, continues to captivate and inspire. Each Netball World Cup brings its share of surprising upsets, record-breaking performances, and heart-stopping moments, contributing to the sport’s steady rise in popularity. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a newcomer to the game, the world of netball never ceases to offer something fascinating to discover.
