Nothing but (more) netball
(Evan Yee/Daily News Staff Photographer)
As we pointed out in today's "Writing On (And Off) The Wall" column, the primary goal of Thousand Oaks' Sharon Fluxman is that every kid gets a chance to play her native sport of netball, one she grew up with in South Africa before she and her husband, Colin, a radio and TV broadcaster, fled the country of turmoil and violence to settle in Southern California.
Her plan seems to be working. By launching the Thousand Oaks Comets netball club for ex-patroits, she's been able to convert a few local Americans with athletic skills to try their hand at this basketball-like sport without a lot of arm twisting.
"Don't be intimadated by the rules," Fluxman says. "They're very easy to catch on."
THE BASICS:
-- The game is played on a 50-by-100 foot court (larger than a regulation basketball court). The court is divided into thirds.
-- A size 5 soccer ball is often used. Official netballs often look like volleyballs.
-- Seven players to a side. Three players are stationed as defenders, three as offensive players, and one in the center.
-- Each of the seven players wears an apron or velcro patch that indicates their position. They are:
GS: Goal scorer
GA: Goal attack
WA: Wing attack
C: Center
WD: Wing defense
GD: Goal defense
GK: Goalkeeper
--Four quarters, 15 minutes each
--The teams alternate starting the action from the center court, no matter what team scores before action stops. The center starts in the center circle to a player who moves into the middle section of the court. The ball moves to the designated GS or GA, who can only shoot within the arch that stretches 32 feet along the baseline.
--No player with or without the ball can come into physical contact with an opponent.
--Two umpires regulate play, running up and down each sideline.
THE TEAMS:
-- Thousand Oaks Comets website
-- Los Angeles Waves website
-- The California Netball Association website
-- The USA Netball Association website (based in Florida)
-- The International Netball Federation website (based in England)
THE HISTORY:
-- In 1891 in Springfield, Mass., 30-year-old James Naismith invited an indoor game for the YMCA with a peach basket. His rules had nine players a side. Clara Baer, a gym teacher in New Orleans, asked Naismith to give her a copy of his rules so she could adapt it for women. The game eventually made it to England, where it was first played in 1895. As Naismith's game evolved into what it is today, adding backboards, dribbling, etc., the netball rules remained the same but were tweeked for those who took up the sport in England, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
Korfball, a similar but distinct game played in the Netherlands and Belgium, developed from netball.
Comments
Netball is a great sport! If you are interested in playing or learning more about the game, send me an email. New players are always welcome at the Waves!
--Leigh, LA Waves
Posted by: Leigh | January 18, 2007 08:21 PM
Email for LA Waves: info@wavesnetball.com
Posted by: Leigh | January 18, 2007 08:23 PM
Netball rocks! Thank you so much for writing about this fantastic sport.
Posted by: Chrissy | January 18, 2007 08:31 PM
Netball Rocks!!!
Posted by: Maxilou | January 19, 2007 07:19 PM