Evolution of the futureFERNS programme in New Zealand
In 2013 Netball Wellington Centre proudly took part in the pilot of Netball New Zealand's Junior Netball Programme for players in Year 1-4. It was received with much excitement and to this day we are seeing the progression of some very junior netballers displaying an impressive grasp of core basic skills which puts them in good stead on their journey to continue playing the sport they now love. A new-look Year 1&2, Year 3&4, Year 5&6 and Year 7&8 netball has been rolled out complete with modified equipment, rules and court size. Traditional 7-a-side netball is no longer played by Year 1-6.
futureFERNS netball now looks as follows:
Year 1&2 - launched in 2012
Game time of up to 2 x 8 minute halves (format varies per Satellite)
4 players per team
Played lengthways on one third of a netball court
Rubber 20cm super grip ball used
Hula-hoops held by helpful parents act as goals or where able goal posts are set no higher than 2.1m to increase likelihood of success
No fixed playing positions
Rolling substitutions
Pass or shoot within 5 seconds
No defending passers or shooters
No umpires, no whistle
Coaches are allowed on court to guide and assist players
No score kept
Year 3&4 - launched in 2013
Game time of up to 4 x 8 minute quarters (format varies per Satellite)
5 players per team - 2x Attack, 1 x Centre, 2 x Defence
Played across two thirds of a netball court
Size 4 ball used
Goal posts are set between 2.1m and no higher than 2.6m higher to increase likelihood of success
Rolling substitutions
Pass or shoot within 5 seconds
Defenders must be 1m from passer or shooter
No umpires, no whistle
Coaches are allowed in their attacking end to guide both teams
No score kept
Year 5&6 - launched in 2016
Game time up to 4 x 8 minute quarters (format varies per Satellite)
6 players per team - 2 x Attack, 2 x Centre, 2 x Defence
Played on full size netball court
Size 4 ball used
Goal posts are set at 2.6m
Substitutions at an interval or stoppage for injury/illness
Players must rotate to ensure equal opportunities in all positions
Minimum court time of half a game per player
Pass or shoot within 5 seconds
Defenders must be 1m from passer or shooter
Umpire present, whistle used
Coaches not allowed on court
No competition ranking or results tables
No representative teams
Year 7&8 - launched in 2016
Game time up to 4 x 10 minute quarters (format varies per Satellite)
7 players per team - GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD, GK
Played on full size netball court
Size 5 ball used
Goal posts set at 3.05m (standard size)
Substitutions can be made an an interval or stoppage for injury/illness
Players should continue to be rotated to ensure equal opportunities in all positions
Minimum court time of half a game per player
Pass or shoot within 3 seconds
Defenders must be 0.9m from passer or shooter
Two umpires present, whistles used
Coaches not allowed on court
Training time should not exceed competition time - approx 60 minutes per session
Only two to three sessions (including game time) per week
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