Netball is fast-paced, packed with skill, and bursting with team spirit. Whether you’re totally new to the game or gearing up for your first netball tournament, this blog is your go-to guide for everything you need to know, from match timings to Olympic dreams and more!
Let’s dive into some of the most searched netball questions and get you fully up to speed!
How Long Is a Netball Game?
Ah, the classic: how long is a netball game? Or maybe you’ve asked how long is netball? Either way, here’s your answer!
In traditional netball, a game is 60 minutes long, split into four 15-minute quarters. It’s structured, competitive, and intense, but when it comes to netball on sports tours or weekend festivals, the match times can look a little different.
At our Great Yarmouth Netball Tournament, for example, time is precious (and teams are plentiful!). So, we shorten games to 12 minutes total (that’s two halves of six minutes each) for both junior and ladies’ teams. Why? Because with one venue hosting multiple age groups, it’s the best way to keep the action flowing and make sure every team gets a fair shot on court.
How Long Is a Netball Match at Sports Tour Events?
Wondering how long is a netball match in a real event setting? The truth is… it varies!
At Sports Tours, match length often depends on three key things:
How many teams have entered
How many courts are available
How the weekend is structured
A typical weekend looks like this:
Saturday – group stage fixtures kick off
Sunday – remaining group games, followed by semi-finals and finals
This 2-day format means plenty of play, lots of opportunities to progress, and that amazing finals-day buzz. But match duration will always be adapted to fit the event, so it’s all about quality and quantity.
Is Netball an Olympic Sport?
One of the most common things people ask is: is netball an Olympic sport?
The answer (for now)? Not yet.
Netball might have a huge following, especially in Australia, New Zealand, England, and Jamaica, but it’s still not part of the Olympic Games. That’s not to say it doesn’t deserve a spot, but the sport hasn’t yet met the IOC’s criteria for global participation.
Why Is Netball Not in the Olympics?
So, why is netball not in the Olympics if it’s so popular?
Well, Olympic inclusion is about worldwide reach, and whilst netball dominates in Commonwealth countries, it’s still working on growing that international player base. The good news? The campaign for inclusion is gaining momentum every year, and the sport continues to thrive in competitions like the Commonwealth Games, where it gets the recognition, it deserves.
Fingers crossed we’ll see it on the Olympic stage in the not-so-distant future!
Final Whistle
Whether you’re joining us for a sports tour or just learning the ropes, we hope this guide gives you the fast facts you need. Netball may not (yet!) be in the Olympics, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most exciting, team-focused sports you’ll ever play!
Got more questions? Want to join an upcoming tour? Get in touch or check out our upcoming netball events, you never know, your team might be next to lift the trophy!
