Net Ball

Yet another new sport from Australia: Net Ball. On Monday night I went and watched one of my new friends here play Net Ball at her social club. (A small note about club sports: These are a lot more important here in Australia than at home. It seems everyone is part of a club team somewhere doing something. There is something physical to do literally for everyone who wants to. This is sad that we don't do this as much in America because so many good athletes and people wanting to stay fit just stop after their time in high school sports. I have come to really appreciate that part of Australian life. Granted, it could simply be the fact that I am in a city with lots of people and facilities to do social sports, but it just seems like they do more of it here). Net Ball is very interesting. Imagine ultimate frisbee and basketball had a baby--you would have something close to net ball. The game is basically played on a basketball court with two nets on either ends up in the air. Unlike a basketball hoop, there is no backboard. So, when shooting a "goal," one must toss it up and have it go directly into the basket. I think shooting would be really hard for someone like me who relies on a backboard to make shots in basketball. The person with the ball cannot run with it. They must pass it down the court just like in ultimate frisbee. Unlike frisbee or basketball, however, every person has a specific role and a place where they are allowed to be on the floor. For example, only a couple players on a team can score a goal because they are the only ones allowed within the shot zone. Likewise, only a couple of players can defend their own goal because they are the only ones allowed in it. The rest have to be available for interceptions and passing. I don't quite understand the positions perfectly yet, but the basics of the game are simple--pass the ball, shoot a goal. All players must stay 3 feet away from someone with the ball. Possession of the ball alternates between teams regardless of who scored the last point. Play goes until one team scores, they take the ball back to the center and the opposite team of whomever started with it last time starts play again.

Just like the game of footy which I mentioned earlier, I leave it to you to go youtube some footage if you are interested, as written words do not really capture a game well. This video is very helpful and I encourage you to watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBuxsRnU50A . But it was interesting and fun to watch and relatively simple--a good game for just playing with friends. Who knows? Maybe I will get a chance to play while I am here.

The game is a big deal in Australia among social clubs because of its ease of play. It is also a good co-ed game. Professionally, it is more like Volleyball in America--that is, people only really care about the womens' net ball teams.

The Australians certainly have some unique games. Footy is almost exclusively an Australian thing. Net Ball, however, is played throughout the British Commonwealth I am led to understand. It is interesting that I had never heard of it before. I like sports so I am glad to learn new ones.

In Christ,

Chris