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The netball program at the AIS began in 1981 when the AIS first opened and so was one of the eight foundation sports at the Institute. The first Head Coach of the program was Wilma Shakespear. The current Head Coach is Gaye Teede.
The program helps elite level athletes reach their potential. Scholarships are offered for one calendar year, and aim to give players the experience necessary to compete with distinction both nationally and internationally. The program focuses on the player's requirements for a blend of Australian and international experience. The training is based on skills and tactics employed by Australian teams and their major international competitors. Currently AIS players compete in the NSW Diary Farmers State League, Victorian Diary Farmers State League and represent their home states at the National Championships.
Netball is the most popular women's sport in Australia.
Selection of AIS Athletes
Full-time residential scholarships are awarded annually. All successful applicants are chosen by the head coach of the sport in consultation with the National Coach and the National Coaching Director. Selection is based on the level of excellence and the development potential of each applicant. Scholarships are reviewed annually with most successful players being retained for a second year.
Visiting scholarships are available for those who are unable to relocate to Canberra for a lengthy period. Netball is a development program that recruits its members from 17 & Under and 19 & Under national talent identification programs.
AIS netball scholarship holders receive full board and accommodation in the AIS Halls of Residence, sports science and sports medicine support, nutritional guidance, psychological assistance, personal and career development, educational assistance, opportunities to compete in national and international competitions and high performance coaching. All athletes are expected to study or work as well as to train and compete in their sport.
AIS Athletes
Netballers the AIS has assisted include:
- Natalie Avellino
- Nicole Cusack
- Carissa Tombs (nee Dalwood)
- Elizabeth Ellis
- Susan Kenny
- Shelley O'Donnell
- Catriona Wagg
- Vicki Wilson
- Catherine Cox
- Sarah Sutter
- Elizabeth Taverner
- Janine Lynch
The first World Youth Cup, held in 1988 in Canberra boasted nine AIS players, including captain Michelle Jones and AIS coach Gaye Teede. This team won the inaugural youth title.
The second World Youth Cup, held in 1992 in Fiji also saw a strong AIS contingent, with seven young players including captain Liz Ellis in the team that finished second to New Zealand.
Canada played host to the 3rd World Youth Cup in 1996. Australia lead by former AIS scholarship holders Sue Howie (Captain) and Catherine Cox (Vice Captain) were successful in winning a close final against New Zeland to capture the World Youth Cup crown.
Former AIS Scholarship holders have dominated Australian Senior teams for a number of years. Players like Catriona Wagg, Elizabeth Ellis, Sue Kenny, Nicole Cusack, Carissa Tombs (nee Dalwood), (Australian Vice-Captain) and Vicki Wilson (Australian Captain) have played successfully at National level for a number of years.
The 1990 Commonwealth Games Gold Medal Team, consisting of ten leading netballers, contained seven former AIS scholarship holders - Catriona Wagg, Nicole Cusack, Sue Kenny, Sharon Finnan, Keeley Devery, Carissa Tombs and Janet Bothwell. The 1991 World Championship winning team contained seven former AIS players, while the 1993 Australian team that captured the World Games title for the first time included eight former AIS players. Australia retained it's World Championship title in 1995 with a win over South Africa at the World Championships in Birmingham, UK. The team included 8 former AIS scholarship holders.
Highlights of the AIS Program
1981
During the inaugural year, the Group A team drew with the English National team in Canberra, then won the inaugural World Club Championship in Hawaii. Sue Hawkins and Karen Bullock were selected for the National Team.
1982
Half the 1982 Australian team that toured New Zealand were former AIS players.
1983
Australia won the World Championship in Singapore. The team contained four players with an AIS background : Sue Hawkins, Chris Harris, Karen Smith and Jane Searle. The AIS team had a successful tour of the UK , during which they beat the England Under 21 team at Wembley.
1984
The AIS team toured the Caribbean. The AIS won the second World Club Championships in Hawaii.
1985
The Australia Games took place in Melbourne, and included an international netball tournament involving Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad/Tobago and England, with Australia finishing second. The AIS team toured Northern Ireland and England, the highlight of which was a win against the English national team at Wembley. 1st World games were held at Crystal Palace, UK. Australia finished 2nd to New Zealand."
1986
In domestic competition, the AIS retained it's Esso Super League title. The team also won the Easter National Club Competition. In a tour of the West Indies the team returned unbeaten. Australia played in a Tri-Test Milo Series against New Zealand and Jamaica, in New Zealand. Of the 6 tests played Australia won 4, lost 1 and drew 1. A further 6 tests were played in Australia between the same nations for the Prudential Cup. Australia won 3, lost 2 and drew 1 Australia completed the year with an undefeated tour of England, which included 2 tests.
1987
The AIS won three back-to-back competitions against WAIS, the New Zealand touring Internationals and an eight match series in England. The Australian team finished second at the World Championship at Glasgow.
1988
The AIS team was undefeated in a three-test series against New Zealand Young Internationals and games against National under 21 and under 25 teams in Barbados and Trinidad. The first World Youth cup was played in Canberra with nine AIS players in the winning side. Australia completed the year with an undefeated tour of England, which included 2 tests.
1989
The AIS were runners up to the Trinidad Team,"The Marvellites" in the inaugural Trinidad & Tobago International Netball Festival. The Australian team finished second at the World Games in Germany. Australia lost all 3 tests against New Zealand, in New Zealand for the Milo Series. But returned home to win all 4 tests against the West Indies in the J & J Cup
1990
The Australian team won the gold medal at the Auckland Commonwealth Games. The team was dominated by seven current and former AIS players. Australia played 2 test against both New Zealand and England before playing and losing to New Zealand in the final of the J & J Cup.
During July the AIS competed in the inaugural Oceania Netball Tournament in Fiji and emerged as winners. During 1990 AIS athletes joined with the All Australia Netball Association touring party to introduce the game to China, focusing on Beijing and Nanjing. Once again they proved to be unbeatable on an overseas tour of the United Kingdom winning all 6 tests (England x 3, Scotland, Rep. of Ireland and Nth. Ireland) and 4 provincial matches.1991
The World Tournament was held in Sydney where Australia won by a thrilling one goal against New Zealand. The team included seven former AIS scholarship holders. The AIS played a three match series against the New Zealand Young Internationals finishing undefeated. Australia played a home series against New Zealand for the Kleenex Cup winning 3-O. A tour of Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago gave Australia a 4-0 series win.
1992
The AIS finished third in the Super League competition, and completed an unbeaten tour of England and Wales.
The 2nd World Youth Cup took place in Fiji, where the young Australian team lead by AIS player, Liz Ellis, finished second. Seven AIS players were in the side.1993
The Australian team won their first ever World Games title, defeating New Zealand by 26 goals in Holland. They also won the home Milo Cup Series against Jamaica 3-O. The AIS team toured Cook Islands, Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago. Winning 6 matches and drawing the remaining match.
1994
AIS toured New Zealand and the Cook Islands playing 3 matches in each country and remained undefeated.
Australia won the Milo Series against New Zealand, in New Zealand 2-1. They also completed a 4-0 whitewash of Trinidad & Tobago in the Milo Cup.1995
Australia played the re-instated South Africa for the Milo Cup which they way won 3-0. Australia defended their World Championship title with a win over South Africa during the World Championships held in Birmingham, UK. The team boasted 8 former AIS scholarship holders. AIS had a successful tour of the Caribbean. Playing 11 matches for a 8 win, 2 lost and 1 washed out record. The Australian 21 & Under Team coached by AIS Head Coach, Gaye Teede, played the New Zealand 21 & Under side in a 3 match series in Australia. Australia won the series 2-1. There was 8 current and former AIS players in the side.
1996
Former AIS scholarship holders Sue Howie (Captain) and Catherine Cox (Vice-captain) lead the Australian 21 & Under side to victory in the 3rd World Youth Cup held in Vancouver Canada. The side contained 5 current and former AIS scholarship holders. The Australian Team continued to build on their unbeaten run of 22 games that began in May 1994. The team played 5 Internationals during the year winning all convincingly. (Milo Challenge vs South Africa, Milo Cup vs New Zealand [3 tests] and Fisher & Paykel Cup vs New Zealand.)
AIS toured South Africa for the first time at the end of 1996, in a tour that lasted 3 weeks they played 11 games. AIS won 9, lost 1 and had 1 game washed out.
March
20 Victorian State League Round 1 - Maroondah Hawks, SNC 8pm
21 Victorian State League Round 1 - VIS, SNC 4pm
21-22 Round 1 NNL
25 AIS Netball Launch
27 Victorian State League Round 2 - Hume City Falcons, SNC 8pm
28 Victorian State League Round 2 - Melbourne Waverley, SNC 4pmApril
4-9* Possible matches against touring English Team - AIS
4-9* Australian 21 & Under Squad possible matches against touring English Team
10-13 Easter
16-24 Willow Valley 17, 19 & Under Netball Nationals - AIS
17 Open Day, AIS Netball for 19 & Under State Teams, Parents interested persons
20 Open Day, AIS Netball for 17 & Under State Teams, Parents interested personsMay
2-3 Australian 21 & Under Training/Final Selections - Melbourne
8 Victorian State League Round 7 - Southern Lights, SNC 8pm
9 Victorian State League Round 7 - Knox City, SNC 3pm
16 Victorian State League Round 8 - Victoria University (Home Game - AIS)
16-27 Australian Team Tour of New Zealand, F& P Cup (20, 23,26)
23 Victorian State League Round 9 - Eastside Traveland, Waverley Netball Centre 8pm
24 Victorian State League Round 9 - Gippsland, SNC 1pm
30 Victorian State League Round 10 - Palladians, Xavier 8pm
31 Victorian State League Round 10 - Hume City Falcons, SNC 1pmJune
6-9* Possible match against Touring West Indies - AIS
9-20 F & P Plate vs West Indies (12,16,19)
12 Victorian State League Round 12 - Victoria University, SNC 8pm
12 1st Test - Adelaide
13 Victorian State League Round 12 - Maroondah Hawks, SNC 3pm
16* 2nd Test - Melbourne We anticipate playing warm-up matches
19* 3rd Test - Sydney before Tests 2 & 3.
20 Victorian State League Round 13 - VIS (Home Game - AIS)
27 Victorian State League Round 14 - Palladian, SNC 8pm
28 Victorian State League Round 14 - Gippsland, SNC 2pmJuly
5-8 17 & Under Talent Squad training weekend - AIS
10 Victorian State League Round 15 - Knox City, SNC 8pm
11 Victorian State League Round 15 - Southern Lights, SNC 3pm
7-10 Australasian Schools Championships, ACC - NSW
16-19 19 & Under Talent Squad training weekend - AIS
25 Victorian State League Round 17 - Eastside Traveland, Waverley Netball Centre 6.45pm
26 Victorian State League Round 17 - Melbourne Waverley, SNC 2pm
24 NNL Semi-finals
31 NNL FinalAugust
1-2* Possible Canterbury NZ Exchange - AIS
5 Victorian State League, 4th and 5th playoff
7 NNL Grandfinal
12 Victorian State League, Semi Final
19 Victorian State League, Final
28 Vic State League, GrandfinalSeptember
5-6* Possible Canterbury NZ Exchange - AIS
1-6 Australian Team Acclimatisation Camp - Northern Territory
11-21 XVIth Commonwealth Games - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
21 Netball Final, Commonwealth GamesOctober
6-10 QANTAS National Netball Championships - South Australia
11-18 Recovery week - at home (students to negotiate with Gaye re Study commitments)
31 F & P Cup vs New Zealand - Brisbane
November
15-1 Dec* AIS Tour - West Indies (Jamaica)
History of Netball
The game of netball originated as an offshoot of the game of basketball. Basketball began in the USA in the 1890's. Basketball was taken up as a sport in England as well, and by 1897 ladies were playing the game on grass courts. In 1898 some changes were made to basketball and this resulted in the first appearance of the game of netball.
Netball was brought to Australia by English school teachers and there are records of inter-school games being played as early as 1913. In 1927 the All Australian Women's Basket Ball Association (AAWBB) was formed and promoted seven-a-side netball. There was no standard rules at this time and there was a nine-a-side and a five-a-side version of the game. On an Australian tour of England in 1957 discussion about the standardisation of the playing rules lead to the formation in 1960 of the International Federation of Basketball and Netball Federations (IFNA). International tournaments were suggested at this meeting to be held every four years. The first of these World Championships was in 1963.
In 1970 the title All Australia Netball Association was adopted and the game was officially named "netball". Recent rule changes have meant that the modern international game is extremely fast and exciting.
...Australia has won more Netball World Championships than any of its competitors with wins in 1963, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1983, and 1991 and 1995. World Championships in Netball are only competed every four years.
...Netball is the most popular sport for Australian women, with over 350,000 registered participants.
...Netball was a demonstration sport at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games, and will be a medal sport at the 1998 Commonwealth Games to be held in Kuala Lumpur.
...Prior to 1970 netball was known in Australia as "Women's Basketball".
International Participation
Netball at the international level is controlled by the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) which was formed in 1960. It is estimated that over two million players are active in the game all over the world, including Barbados, Bahamas and Jamaica (West Indies), Sri Lanka, India, Fiji and Vanuatu (in the Pacific) Hong Kong and Singapore (in South East Asia) and Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Namibia(in Africa). The top Netball nations are Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago. Australia has won the World Championships a record seven times, 1963, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1991 and 1995.
The Game of Netball
Netball is a seven-a-side team game traditionally played by women, although over the last ten years it has become popular with men as well.
The aim of the game is two-fold. Each team tries to shoot as many goals as they can through their own goal while preventing the other team from doing the same. A player's position on the court determines which of the two functions they concentrate on most - there are attack and defence positions.
There are seven positions on the court, each with restricted areas of the court in which they are allowed. Centre (C) is the player with the most freedom, allowed in all areas except the goal circles and playing a major role in attack and defence. Wing attack (WA) and wing defence (WD) are situated at opposite ends of the court, with each allowed in the centre court and their respective goal thirds only. The goal attack (GA) and the goal defence (GD) are similar to the wing positions, except that both are allowed in their respective goal circles as well as the centre and goal thirds, with (GA) shooting goals and (GD) trying to prevent the opposition from shooting goals. The goal shooter (GS) who also shoots for goal and the goal keeper (GK) who tries to prevent goals are allowed only in their respective goal circles and goal thirds.
Rules
The basic rules of the game state that players may take 1 step while they have the ball, using passes to convey the ball down to their two shooters who are the only ones allowed to score the goal. When the opposition have the ball, the defensive team must try to prevent goals by intercepting passes or by winning a penalty pass. A player has a limited amount of movement only and must stop or pass the ball once they have gained possession. A player cannot hold the ball for more than 3 seconds. Body contact is not allowed, neither is obstruction or holding a player, throwing the ball to yourself, bouncing the ball to yourself, very short passes or stepping. Two players infringing at the same time will draw a toss-up to decide possession, and throw-ins are awarded when the ball passes out-of-court.
Equipment
The ball used is a size 5 ball, similar to a soccer ball and can be made of leather or rubber weighing 400-450g. The playing area is rectangular, 30.5m in length and 15.25m in width marked with lines. Playing surfaces can be wood flooring, grass, cement or special non-slip artificial surfaces, and may be situated indoors or outdoors. At each end of the court is a goalpost, 3.05m high with a 38cm ring at the top. The court is divided into thirds (two goal thirds and a centre third) with a semicircular area around each of the two goal posts known as the goal circles (4.9m in radius). In the middle of the centre third, a small circle (.9m diameter) is drawn to take the centre passes which re-commence the game after goals and breaks.
Timing and Umpiring
A game is divided into four quarters of 15 minutes each, with 3 minute intervals between the quarters. Half-time is 5 minute. Injury time is added to each quarter. The captains of the teams "toss" for choice of ends or for first centre pass. The Centre takes the ball in the centre circle and must pass it within 3 seconds after the whistle. Two umpires control the game watching half-the-court each from the sideline.
Versions
There is a modified version of Netball called Netta-netball which is part of the AUSSIE SPORT program at the Australian Sports Commission.
Uniform
Players may wear shirts, blouses or leotards with skirts or shorts. Shoes must not be spiked, and must suit the court surface.
Diets
Dr. Louise Burke who is consultant dietitian at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra has this to say about the diet of athletes such as netballers:
Athletes come in different sizes and shapes, and follow different types of training programs. While they may all follow these nutrition rules, their meals may look quite different. Athletes who train strenuously for many hours each day will need to eat large amounts of carbohydrate and kilojoules. Big, tall athletes will need to eat more than petite athletes such as gymnasts. Many athletes need to organise their meals to fit around their training or competition schedules.
All athletes are encouraged to follow the rules of healthy eating to help their performances both in training and in competition. Some important principles of sport nutrition are:
- Keep yourself in shape with a body fat level that suits your sport - eat the right amount of kilojoules for your body size and training program.
- Keep your muscles fuelled up for training and competition by eating plenty of carbohydrate foods. Make room for these foods by reducing the amount of fat that is in the typical Australian diet.
- Enjoy a variety of nutritious foods to provide you with all the protein, vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Your need for some of these nutrients will increase because of your heavy exercise program.
- Look after fluid needs. Drink before, during and after exercise sessions to prevent yourself from becoming dehydrated."
For further information you might like to look at Louise Burke's book - The complete guide to food for sports performance : a guide to peak nutrition for your sport. Sydney : Allen and Unwin, 1992.
Training
This is a sample of the type of training the netballers at the AIS undertake.
New recruits begin the year with a heavy emphasis on building their individual skill level. Court tactics are then introduced as teams prepare to compete.
Methods of attaining fitness are:
- Circuit training - fitness circuit - skill and fitness circuit.
- Fartlek ("speed play") running - fast runs alternating with slow runs.
- Interval training - a planned form of training divided into phases of effort followed by recovery, getting harder each time.
- Weight training
- Isometric exercises - tension working against resistance
- Sprinting
- Aquatic training -- waterbased fitness training.
An example of a typical afternoon AIS Netball training session would be :
- 15 min. dynamic warm-up (movement/stretching)
- 30 min. footwork and ball skills
- 30 min. specialist training (goal work or centre court or defence)
- 30 min. teamwork (tactics and strategies)
- 30 min. warm down including Recovery activities e.g. Spa or Hydrotherapy.
Training programs for juniors or beginners would be different to this program. Ask your coach for a program suitable for your level.
Further Information
Enquiries regarding scholarships can be directed to
Australian Institute of Sport Netball Unit,
PO Box 176,
Belconnen ACT 2616,
Phone (06) 2521203.For details of netball activities in your area contact
Netball Australia,
19 -21 Wentworth Street,
Parramatta NSW 2150,
Phone (02) 9633 2533.Visit your school or public library to see what resources they have on netball. Books to look for are:
Netball
Blackall, Bernie. Sydney, Melbourne : Macmillan, 1989.(Young players series)Netball skills.
Brown, Joyce. . Sydney : Doubleday, 1988The name of the game is ... netball.
Otago, Leonie. Surry Hills, NSW : Aussie Sports Books, 1991. (Name of the game series)Grace and glory.
Sargeant, Anne. Sydney : Hutchinson Australia, 1989Netball.
Sargeant, Anne. Marrickville, NSW : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1990. (The HBJ sports skills series)
The AIS Netball Program is pleased to advise the release of the new edition of the AIS Defence Video
This video will be an aid for all coaches to develop the defensive skills of their players. Topics included are:
- Footwork, including the two foot take off
- Ball control and Vision
- Rebounding
- Pressure on the Pass
- Channeling
- One on One Defence.
All this for the SAME PRICE. Yes the AIS Netball Defence Video is still priced at $25.00 per video including postage and handling. There are two order forms available - one for Australian Orders and one for Overseas Orders - Please be sure to use the correct one.
For further information please contact:
Lisa Beehag
AIS Netball
PO Box 176
Belconnen ACT 2616
Ph: (02) 6214 1269/(02) 6214 1203
Fax: 02 6214 1754
beehagl@ausport.gov.au
Update 21 May 1997
Compiled by the National Sport
Information Centre
Australian Sports Commission
PO Box 176 Belconnen ACT 2616
Phone (02) 6214 1369 Fax (02) 6214 1681