Welsh Netball Association - History of Netball

WORLD NETBALL

Netball is derived from an early form of basketball, which was brought to England from America at the turn of the Century.Netball is played mainly by women but an increasing number of men are discovering the game. Netball is played in over fifty countries and on all five continents.The International Federation of Netball Associations governs world Netball, which was founded in 1960. Wales was a founder member.The IFNA Congress meets every two years and consists of delegates from member countries and representatives from each of the following regions: Asia, Americas, Africas, Europe and Oceania.Events organised by IFNA include the World Championships which have been held every four years since 1963 and the World Youth Championship for U21 teams which has been held every four years since 1988. The world's leading netball countries are Australia and New Zealand and between them they have won all the world titles that have been played for so far.

NETBALL IN EUROPE

The Federation of European Netball Associations governs netball in Europe.FENA member countries are currently England, Malta, N Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Gibraltar. FENA organises Championships which are held annually at the following age groups: Open, U21/U19 and U17.As well as the FENA Championships, International matches are played regularly between the member countries.

NETBALL IN WALES

The Welsh Netball Association was founded in 1945, though it is known that organised netball was played in Wales in the 1930s. The aims of Welsh Netball have always been to promote, encourage and further the game of netball in Wales. Until 1988 netball in Wales was organised entirely by volunteers, since then volunteers have continued to be a major resource as well as the employees, the number and job descriptions of whom have changed as the requirements of the organisation has changed. Since 2003 Welsh Netball has developed partnerships with many of the Unitary Authorities in Wales to employ local netball development officers, people on the ground to help organise and run community projects and increase participation, particularly with women and young girls.In 1992 Welsh Netball became a Company Limited by Guarantee, with Memorandum and Articles of Association instead of the constitution that had previously governed, and a Board of Directors and company Secretary. Since 1992 there have been two major re-organisations of the committee structures of WNA, in 1996 and 2003. The Board of Directors agree policy and financial decisions based on information provided through the committee structure and staff. WNA Chairman Stephanie Hazlehurst currently chairs the Board and the WNA Chief Executive is Company Secretary, dealing with the day-to-day legal matters that relate to a company limited by guarantee. The Board meets on average every six weeks, the finances of the Association usually being high up on the agenda. The Welsh Netball strategy sets out the following vision statements for our organisation to allow members of all ages and abilities to enjoy our sport through a programme of activities for participation, development and excellence.

• Netball is a game for all
• Netball is a leading participation sport for women in Wales.
• Welsh Netball can attract and retain members by providing opportunities for them to perform and achieve at their highest level, whether as players, coaches, umpires, officials or administrators.
• Welsh Netball is a successful and effective organisation both in competition and administration
  

EQUITY in WNA

No players, coaches, umpires, officials, administrators, volunteers, employees or job applicants will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, marital status, social class, colour, race, ethnic origin, creed or disability, or will be disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be relevant to performance.

Events organised by the WNA are numerous and include international matches; national championships; clinics for players; courses and seminars for coaches and umpires and an award scheme, which enables those coaches and umpires to gain qualifications.

Welsh teams play internationally at Open, Under 21 or Under 19 (depending on the European netball calendar) and Under 17 levels. The first international event played by a Welsh team was in 1949, when Wales lost to England but beat Scotland.

Since 1949, the National team has beaten England only twice, by 33-29 in 1980 and by 59-58 in 2001 to become European Champions. The under 21 team beat England in 1972, were British Isles Champions in 1984 and the under 18 team were British Isles Champions in 1982.

The National team has competed in all but one World Championship with highest placing being equal sixth in 1975 and 1979. Currently Wales hold a world ranking of 14th following the 2003 World Championships in Jamaica.

Netball was included in the Commonwealth Games for the first time in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 (Wales were one of the 12 countries who participated, coming 10th). Wales also competed as one of the 10 countries in the 2002 Games in Manchester, gaining 6th place. In Melbourne 2006 Wales again took part coming 8th out of 12 countries.

The Welsh U21 team was placed fifth in the first World Youth Cup, which was held in Australia in 1988. The renamed World Youth Netball Championship was held in Cardiff in July 2000, Australia beat Jamaica to clinch the title. The last World Youth event was held in Florida in 2005, the next will be in the Cook Islands in 2009.

Funding of Welsh Netball over the years has become very complex. The main source of independent income is from membership fees, without this WNA could not exist. Government funding comes mainly via the Sports Council for Wales; various SCW schemes exist that fund different parts of the Association including the WNA Academy, the employment of the National Performance Director, development and administration staff and various facility usage at the Welsh Institute of Sport, Cardiff. Other major sources of income include sponsorship and educational courses for coaching and umpiring.