In October 2009, The Silver Ferns will be heading to Manchester to compete in the inaugural World Netball Series, a competition that promises fast, exhilarating, skilful Netball and new rules that will add a twist to the way Netball is currently played.
The World Netball Series will take place at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England from the 9th - 11th October following extensive trials and consultation between IFNA and member countries.
The series will involve the world’s top six netball nations Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, Samoa and Malawi. Innovative rule changes include rolling substitutions, shooting from outside the goal circle and power plays. The new format will test the fitness, technical ability and tactical awareness of the best players in the world.
The new rules and format were successfully trialed by England Netball using their senior and junior squads (see Rule Explanations in Notes to Editor below).
Teams will play more than once a day and each game will played over four 6 minute quarters adding to what promises to be a high energy and awesome spectacle.
Raelene Castle, Netball New Zealand Chief Executive said she was excited about what the new competition could bring to the ever-increasing profile of Netball internationally.
“This is a new opportunity for Netball to grow the game further,” she said, “The Silver Ferns are a skilled and professional team and will be able to successfully adapt to the rule changes presented to them. They will thrive from the challenge.”
Molly Rhone, IFNA President, said “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to further showcase our sport to the world and we are eagerly looking forward to October when we welcome the top six teams to Manchester. It is a moment in history for us, as it is the first time the best teams from all around the globe will gather to compete in a new faster format of netball.”
See Notes below for proposed rule changes.
Rules
• Matches will be 4 x 6 minutes with 3 x 2 minutes breaks.
• 7 players on court, 5 on the bench
• Rolling Substitutions i.e. no stoppages; Unlimited number of substitutions per team per quarter. There will be a designated box at each transverse line, opposite the Official Bench where players shall wait holding up the position of the player to be substituted. Players from either team may wait in either box.
• After a goal is scored, the game restarts from the centre in favour of the team conceding.
• There will be alternative centre passes at the beginning of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter.
• There is no whistle after a goal is scored.
• Coaches will be allowed to coach from the sideline, only in front of their bench. The area will be marked out. The third umpire will monitor.
• Each team will elect one quarter as a Power Play when any goals they score will be doubled.
• Shooters may shoot from outside of the circle, all successful goals will be worth double i.e. 2 goals. In a power play this could escalate to 4 goals.
• The umpire will signal by raising one hand for one goal and two hands for two goals.
* Please be aware that the wording of these rules are subject to change when the
Formal Rules for the World Netball Series are created.
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