HISTORY OF NETBALL IN NEW ZEALAND

Netball is an integral part of New Zealand’s dynamic sporting culture. Steeped in history, it was introduced to New Zealand as ‘women’s basketball’ in 1906 – a nine-a-side game played on grass, with baskets tied to posts at either end of the court.

For more information on the history of Netball in New Zealand please visit:

https://www.netballnz.co.nz/our-game/history/

Follow the decade links on the right of the page.

Key milestones:

1906

Rev J C Jamieson arrives in Auckland and starts up Basketball teams from his Bible classes. The first games of basketball were played on a paddock and the teams were nine-a-side. 

1932

Fifteen affiliated Associations with a total of 742 teams were now established. It is decided to divide the National Tournament into two grades, with the first six affiliated associations forming the First Grade.

1961

International Rules are adopted, Rule Books are printed and Coaching Schools are held to prepare for the 1961 season.

1970

Council approves changing the sport's name from Basketball to Netball; and Referee to Umpire. 

1998

Netball New Zealand launches its ambitious “Future Directions” strategy. 33 Unions become 12 Regional Entities and 110 Associations become Netball Centres. The 12 Regions are Northern, Auckland, Counties Manukau, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Eastern, Western, Wellington, Tasman, Canterbury, Otago and Southern. 

2012

Netball New Zealand restructures and creates five Netball Zones throughout the country to administer, promote and develop the game at both an elite and community level.