Netball Rules

Netball teams must provide your own bibs for games (we do not provide for hygiene reasons) - we recommend GAME Clothing Netball bibs (they're made right here in Brissie).
Make sure you have good quality trainers or netball shoes.
Jewellery and nail checks happen before every game
Players OVER 18 years old only. SportUP operates adult only social competitions. As a result, all players must be 18, or over the age of 18, before they can start playing with us. Any players found to be playing while under the age of 18, will be asked to leave the league/venue immediately and no refunds will be offered for future fixtures missed that may have been paid for.

What Does Social Mean In Social Sport?

SportUP is specifically a social sports organisation, we are not a competitive league and offer social sports competitions for all sorts of teams, from complete beginners to seasoned.
Should you play like you're in the NBA/FIFA World Cup/Olympics? We're all here for a good time over the score. If your team does care about winning over enjoyment of the game, SportUP isn't for you. Respect should always be shown to your teammates, the referee and your opposition.
Any swearing, unsportsmanlike behaviour, aggressive behaviour, talking back to the referees is not acceptable in SportUP Competitions. if your team or an individual within your team is reported, you will receive an official team warning.
2 Team warnings removes your team from the competition for the remainder of the season. 3 Team warnings removes you from all future SportUP Competitions.
All unsportsmanlike behaviour is reported to SportUP Management to record and for warnings to be given.
For a definitive list of what we class as poor behaviour please see Player Code of Conduct

RULES:

The SportUP Netball leagues are based on that the ‘Netball Australia Official Rule Book 2024’.

The rules in this document take precedence in the event of any discrepancy.

It is the responsibility of each player to be familiar with these rules.

Team Registration

Team Registration Fees must be paid prior to Round 2.

All players must be registered online before participating - Add Players Here

The umpire will refuse any players that have not registered.

Match Format

Games will consist of 4 x 9 Minute Quarters with a 1-minute break between each quarter.

Teams are to change ends at the end of each quarter.

A match is started and finished by the umpire's whistle.

If the minimum number of 5 rostered players are met, teams are legally allowed to pick up ‘ringers’ to make a team of 7.

Teams may not pick up any players to exceed a team of 7 and the fill-in players must be agreed upon with the opposition BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS.

Teams can only pick up extra substitutions at the BEGINNING of the game. None throughout.

Forfeits

Teams are to be on the court at the scheduled game time. The umpire will start the clock at the scheduled match time to ensure that all teams have a full match.

The clock will not be stopped, except in the case of injury.

Teams are to have a minimum of 5 players on court before a match can commence.

The following penalties apply for lateness:

1-3 mins: 3 goals
3-9 mins: 6 goals
9-12 mins: 9 goals
12+ mins: Forfeit

If a team forfeits and no fill-in players show up then there is an $99 No Show fee.

Failure to pay by Friday of the No Show game will result in the suspension of your team until paid.

If your team is struggling for players you can always find subs by posting on our FB subs group here.

If you post before 1 pm then you can find subs 99% of the time.

A forfeit will result in a 10-0 win awarded to the opposition.

What to do if my team needs to forfeit

Team Composition

A maximum of 7 players is permitted on court at any one time.

Mixed teams may only have a maximum of 3 males on the court at any one time.

If requested, team contacts must notify the umpire of player names.

There can only be one male permitted in each third of the court. This means one shooter either GS or GA, one midcourt player C, WA and WD and one defender GK or GD. There cannot be one in goals and two midcourt positions or two males in goals or defence.

For all SportUP competitions, players must be a minimum of 18 years of age to participate. It is the responsibility of each team to ensure this rule is enforced at all times.

Team Uniforms

All team tops must be the same colour bibs.

All players must wear sporting attire and closed in footwear

Jewellery

All players must remove all jewellery at the start of the game. This includes any watches, wristbands, rings, necklaces, FitBits etc. External body piercings can be taped down. Umpires will have the final say on what constitutes dangerous and have the power to remove any players from the game who do not comply with this rule.

Teams are required to bring their own bibs each week. If a team forgets there will be a 2 point penalty for forgetting your bibs.

Subs

Teams can make substitutions at quarter intervals.

Should a player leave the court for injury or illness, a substitution can be made.

There is no limit on the number of substitutions a team is permitted to make during a match.

Injuries

In the case of an injury occurring, the clock will not be stopped but the game may be paused to help attend to them.

An injured player must leave the court as soon as reasonably possible.

Once an injured player leaves the court, their position may be filled by another player.

If a player is bleeding he or she must vacate the court immediately and cannot return until the bleeding has stopped.

An injury that causes a stoppage of over 15 minutes will result in the abandonment of the game. A 20-20 result will be recorded.

Any injury that might require further medical treatment must be reported to SportUP on the Incidert Report Form.

Season

All seasons run for 12 weeks. If a game is cancelled due to rain or venue unavailability then your games will get replayed the following week so you never miss any games.

Participating teams must ensure they are available for all possible match times.

The prize will be awarded to the Most Social Team based on SportUP Points and other contributing factors.

The team at the top of the table will be crowned Champions.

In the case of divisions with uneven bye allocation, byes will be awarded as 20 – 0 win.

In the case of teams having equal points and equal points per match, higher goal differences will take precedence. If still equal, higher goals will take precedence.

Umpires

The umpires' decision in all rulings is final.

Play the whistle as it is provided

Respect our umpires and be kind at all times, even if you disagree with a call.

Player Behaviour

All players must be respectful and sportsmanlike to teammates, opposition, and umpires.
Not acceptable behaviour:
- Talking back to umpires
- Swearing
- Poor sportsmanship (winning or losing)
- Aggressive play (e.g., elbowing, pushing, reckless contact)

If a player demonstrates any of these on courts the umpires have the right to remove players immediately from the game..

New Netball Rule Changes (2024)

Goal After Whistle:
- A shot will count if released before the whistle and successfully goes in.
  Toss Up Removal:
- Toss ups are no longer used for simultaneous infringements.
- The team last in possession gets the ball where play stopped.
  Playing the Ball:
- To gain possession, a player may:
  - Catch the ball with one or both hands.
  - Roll the ball to themselves.
  - Catch a rebound from the goalpost.
  - Bat the ball once, then catch it.
  - Bounce the ball once, then catch it.
  - Touch the ball in an uncontrolled manner once or more than once, then catch it.
- Without possession, a player may:
  - Bat or bounce the ball to another player.
  - Bat or bounce the ball once, then pass or bounce it to another player.
- A player may not:
  - Kick the ball.
  - Strike the ball with a fist.
  - Roll the ball to another player.
  - Pass the ball or shoot while lying, sitting, or kneeling.
  - Fall on the ball to gain possession.
  - Use the goal post for support.
    Short Pass:
- When passing, there must be enough space for an opponent to deflect or intercept the ball, not just a hand but a hand connected to the arm and body.
  Contact:
- Netball allows equal contest for possession. There are two types of contact:
  - Interference: Unfair physical contact that disrupts an opponent’s play.
    - Examples:
      - Loss of the ball.
      - Interference with passing or shooting.
      - Change in body position that limits movement.
  - Causing Contact:
    - Player in the Air: A player cannot jump into or land in the space of a stationary opponent.
    - Moving Player: A player must not get too close or too quickly in front of a moving opponent, denying them time to stop or change direction.