Figure 1.--Netball is one of the traditional girls' sports in New Zealand and dribling is not allowed. Basketball is only played by boys. Apparently when the rules for netball were adopted in England, dribling was considered too difficult for girls.
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Figure 1.--Netball is one of the traditional girls' sports in New Zealand and dribling is not allowed. Basketball is only played by boys. Apparently when the rules for netball were adopted in England, dribling was considered too difficult for girls. |
New Zealand girls do not play basketball like the boys. Rather they play netball--a basketball-like sport imported from Britain. Netball is a team sport adapted from the American sport of basketball. In fact, it was originally called girls' basketball. The official rules for netball were formulated in England during 1901. The game was first played by women, outdoors on grass and has changed little since 1901. The game travelled with the British colonialists and is predominantly played in countries of the British
Commonwealth including Australia, New Zealand and the West Indies. It is virtually unknown in America. In 1970 the name of the game was changed from basketball to netball. The principle difference with basketball is there is no dribling or physical contact allowed. Players have to maintain a distance of 1 meter. Baskeball was developed in America as a sport which could be played indoors during the harsg mid-western winters. Both boys and girls played it. In fact it was one of the first competitive team sports played by girls. Some British schools eventually imported it, but decided that dribling and the physical contact involved was not suitable for demure young Edwardian ladies--rules which have continued to this day. Interestingly, netball is second only to Rugby Union in terms of number of players registered to an association in New Zealand. In 1990 there were 105,930 players. Netball is the most played sport by girls in New Zealand.
A high level of participation in the netball competition this year led to a record number of eight teams being involved: three third form oteams, three fourth form teams, a senior team and a social team were entered in the Wednesday competition. This year, for the first time, transport by bus was arranged for all the girls and this proved to be a very worthwhile venture. Team spirit and camaraderie were evident in all teams and they performed creditably in all their grades. Each team also worked hard to achieve high standards of fair play and sportsmanship. Well done girls! Special mention is due to the third form B netball team, who played especially well and came third in their . section. The senior social team also played well and won the majority of their games, quite often by huge margins. The senior team this year was a large squad of ten, and special thanks go to them for their ability to get on so well with each other, and their supportiveness of each other, no matter who was on the sideline. Thanks to all the coaches who did such a good job this year, both teachers and students, and to the players who made it such an enjoyable season.
Ms. Woodham, Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
