Nigeria Netball Federation
THE GAME →
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A GAME FOR EVERYONE →
Netball is a fast, dynamic and inclusive sport built on movement, skill and → teamwork — a game that builds confidence, discipline, connection and opportunity, with a place for every generation and every community in Nigeria.
THE SPORT →

Fast. Dynamic. Inclusive. Built for movement.

Netball is a team sport built around movement, precision, awareness and collective play.

Played between two teams of seven, netball combines speed, passing, footwork, shooting and intelligent positioning. Every player has a defined role, and every movement contributes to the way the team plays.

The game rewards skill and decision-making as much as physical ability. It is fast without being chaotic, tactical without losing its accessibility, and competitive while remaining fundamentally a team game.

THE CHARACTER OF NETBALL
The game moves quickly, but every pass, pivot and position has a purpose.
HOW IT WORKS →

Seven players. One court. Two teams. A game built around movement and precision.

Each team has seven players on court at a time. Players are assigned specific positions, with each position operating within designated areas of the court.

The ball is moved through passing rather than dribbling. Players must establish a pivot foot and cannot run with the ball, making timing, movement and anticipation central to the game.

At the attacking end, teams work to create space and opportunities for the Goal Shooter and Goal Attack to take shots. At the other end, defenders work to restrict those opportunities and win possession.

Netball action on court
THE POSITIONS →

Every position has a job. Every player has a role in the team.

GK
Goal Keeper
Defends the shooting circle and works to prevent the opposition from scoring.
GD
Goal Defence
Defends the circle while helping turn defensive possession into attacking play.
WD
Wing Defence
Applies pressure through the middle third and works to disrupt attacking movement.
C
Centre
Connects defence and attack and plays a central role in moving the ball through the court.
WA
Wing Attack
Creates attacking opportunities and helps move the ball into the shooting circle.
GA
Goal Attack
Combines attacking movement with shooting and works closely with the Goal Shooter.
GS
Goal Shooter
Operates in the shooting circle and carries primary responsibility for converting chances into goals.
WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT →

A game where movement, discipline and teamwork matter as much as athleticism.

Netball is deliberately structured. Players have defined positions, specific areas in which they can operate, and clear rules governing movement and contact.

Those restrictions are part of what makes the game compelling. They create space, force players to think ahead and place enormous value on passing, timing, communication and decision-making.

01
Seven players
Two teams of seven players compete on court.
02
Passing game
Players move the ball through passing rather than dribbling.
03
Defined roles
Each position has a specific responsibility and area of play.
04
Team first
Success depends on coordinated movement, communication and trust.
WHY THE GAME MATTERS →

Netball creates more than competition. It creates participation, connection and opportunity.

For young people especially, sport can become a foundation for confidence, discipline, friendship, leadership and belonging.

Netball's emphasis on teamwork and communication makes those qualities part of the experience of playing. Players learn to trust one another, make decisions under pressure and contribute to something bigger than themselves.

That is why the growth of netball in Nigeria begins with access — creating opportunities for people to discover the game, learn the game, play the game and, for those who choose that pathway, compete at increasingly higher levels.

THE NIGERIAN GAME →

Grow the game from the grassroots. Build the pathway. Give every player the opportunity to compete.

Netball
THE BASICS →
Understand the essentials of the game — from the court to the way points are won.
  • THE COURT
  • THE POSITIONS
  • THE MOVEMENT
  • THE SCORE
DID YOU KNOW?

The game is faster, smarter and more strategic than you think.

A few things that make netball the game it is.

Seven players take the court for each team. Every player has a specific position, with defined areas of the court in which they can operate.
No. Once a player receives the ball, they must establish a pivot foot and cannot run with the ball. That makes passing, movement and anticipation central to the game.
There are seven playing positions: Goal Keeper (GK), Goal Defence (GD), Wing Defence (WD), Centre (C), Wing Attack (WA), Goal Attack (GA) and Goal Shooter (GS).
No. Only the Goal Shooter and Goal Attack are permitted to shoot for goal. Their job is to create and convert scoring opportunities inside the shooting circle.
No. Each position has specific areas of the court in which the player is allowed to move. The Centre is the only player who can move through all three thirds of the court.
Because players cannot run with the ball, teams have to create space and move the ball intelligently. Good passing can change the angle of attack, break defensive pressure and create a scoring opportunity.
A goal is scored when the Goal Shooter or Goal Attack successfully puts the ball through the ring from within the team's shooting circle.
Players have to read space, anticipate movement, make quick decisions and work within the restrictions of their position. The result is a game where teamwork and decision-making are just as important as speed and athletic ability.