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History of Netball
Origins
Great Britain is considered to be the home of netball. Although an American developed the game, it has been successful largely as a result of British influence.
Dr. Toles, an American lecturer working in London with student teachers at Madame Osterberg's Physical Training College in 1895, introduced a form of basketball which had been played by women in the United States.
There had originally been a raised target at each end of the court, but Dr. Toles changed this to wastepaper baskets, with the aim being to get the ball into the opposing basket.
At first, there were no boundaries and few rules, but as the game became more popular and began to be played outside a larger ball was introduced, along with rings and nets, and the court was marked into the layout it has today. The game was then called Net Ball.
The game in Britain
By 1900 the first set of rules had been set out by the Physical Education Association and the game was introduced to schools by the teachers who had played the game during training.
The game was popular as it did not require a great deal or space or equipment. Clubs for adults were set up for people who wished to play after leaving school.
In 1926 a meeting of schools, clubs, and adult organisations resulted in the formation of The All England Women's Netball Association, later to become The All England Netball Association (AENA), as it was, and is, mainly a game for female players.
There are now county teams and inter county competitions, and regional teams and inter regional competitions. The Inter County Tournament was first run in 1936 when Essex were the first winners. The Inter Regional Tournament was first run in 1939, and Middlesex were the first winners.
In 1984, a national counties league was set up, and contains most of the counties in England. There is a national club league which was begun in 1992 with two divisions, with more to be added as the league grows.
There are nationally organised tournaments run each year for different age groups from Under 11 (U11) and upwards.
The English Schools Netball Association (ESNA) organises school competitions as it is here that netball has its strongest roots. There are links with schools and adult clubs and the game is also being made available to both boys and men at different age groups and skill levels.
International netball
The first international netball matches were in 1949, when England played Scotland and Wales, and won both matches 25-3. England also participated in an exhibition match against a Rest of the World team at Empire Pool, Wembley, London, in 1957.
An international rules conference, also in 1957, made steps towards the International Federation of Women's Basketball and Netball Associations in 1960. This later became the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA).
The rules of international netball were established, and the World Tournament, which later became the World Championships, was first held at Eastbourne, England, in 1963. Australia were the first champions.
Since then, the World Championships have been held every four years. Australia, England, and New Zealand have been dominant, although teams such as Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago have provided a strong challenge.
A demonstration at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand raised awareness of the game, which is now beginning to be played in countries such as China, Japan, the United States, and other parts of Europe, along with the already established playing traditions in other Commonwealth countries such as Canada, India, Malaysia, and the West Indies.
Internationally netball is played in approximately 50 countries, forty five of which are affiliated with the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA).
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