| Indoor Netball
is relatively new to the Australian sporting landscape in that the
national body was formed in 1990, however the sport continues to grow more
and more each year.
The Association boasts a fast competitive game where players Male and
Female of all ages can show their skills in the game of Indoor Netball.
Indoor Netball, as the name suggests, bares several similarities to the
traditional outdoor sport but the two sports also differ significantly. The
main difference is that in indoor netball the ball is always in play, there
is no sidelines, instead they are replaced by nets. This makes Indoor
Netball a much faster, exciting and dynamic sport enjoyed by both men
and women, and is enjoyed both
socially and competitively in indoor centres across Australia, as well
as in a selection of other countries across the globe.
Indoor Netball from its inception has grown not only internally but is
now being recognised World Wide.
Internationally Australia and New Zealand have contested the Trans Tasman
Shield on a number of occasions. In 1999 Australia travelled to England
for an International Series with Open Ladies, Open Mixed and Open Men.
Following this series, South Africa joined the World Indoor Netball Association,
plans were then put in place for the 2001 World Cup in Australia.
Australia hosted the World Cup in June on the Gold Coast in Queensland,
where all four countries played the inaugural World Cup Series.
In June 2002 Australia and England travelled to South Africa for the World
Indoor Netball Association (W.I.N.A.) Tri-Series. Again Open Ladies, Open
Mixed and Open Men were contested at this tournament.
In 2003 New Zealand hosted the World Cup in Auckland with Australia, New
Zealand and South Africa participating at this prestigious event. This
was the first time that 21 & Under Ladies was contested at a World
Cup level, given the excellent response this grade has now been added
to all future Open events.
At the 2003 World Cup in New Zealand it was announced that the World Indoor
Netball Association were introducing over 30 Ladies, over 30 Mixed plus
18 & Under to their Calendar of tournaments.
In February, 2004 Selected Masters & 18's Australian teams travelled
to South Africa - the tour was a huge success and set the foundations
for bi-annual tours to continue, with the next International series being
held in 2006.
In Australia there are two national championships held annually, the Open
National Championships and the Aged National Championships. The Open’s
host 4 divisions: Mens, Ladies, Mixed and Under 21 Ladies, whilst the
Aged Nationals have 3 divisions: Over 30 Ladies, Over 30 Mixed and the
Under 18 Ladies. From these tournaments the respective All Star teams
are chosen as a reflection of the best players Australia has to offer
in each division.
In 2005 Indoor Netball Australia inducted its first ever
life member, Mrs Marilyn Heilbron, who had worked for over a decade with
Indoor Netball Federation of Queensland and also Indoor Netball Australia.
Marilyn dedicated so much time and effort to the sport of Indoor Netball and
her contribution will forever be remembered.
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