From England Netball:
England Netball is delighted to announce that the Government has given the green light to accelerate the return of the sport through a modified version of the game.
This approval activates a revised roadmap for the return of community netball that from today, allows groups of up to 30 people per court to take part in modified training (including intra-club match play and local club friendlies), subject to netball organisations having the required risk mitigations in place. The recent approval also permits leagues and competitions to return using the modified rules from 26th September (Stage 4b).
This is an important milestone post lockdown and means netballers can now reunite on court and enjoy the many benefits of netball once again.
Why are modifications needed?
In July, the Government announced that team sports could return if governing bodies submitted an action plan to comply with a framework of risk mitigations. As part of this framework, sports were required to analyse the traditional versions of their games and assess the number of instances where players came within 1m, face to face for three seconds or more. These instances represented ‘increased risk’. Unsurprisingly, due to the nature of netball, match analysis concluded that these type of ‘increased risk’ instances were common in every level of netball and across every position on court. Therefore, the ONLY route to return the sport and ensure the safety of the Netball Family through lowering the risk of transmission was to impose modifications.
England Neball submitted a detailed plan to Government, which included analysis of the traditional and modified game, medical guidance and suggested temporary alterations to lower the risk of transmission and allow the sport to achieve an accelerated return.
What are the modifications?
See photo for details.
Despite the changes, the modified game still looks and feels much like the version we know and love. Contesting for the ball is very much permitted providing players are involved in the phase of play. Over the coming weeks we’ll be providing hot topic videos and hints and tips on playing, coaching and officiating the modified game.
For further information, please see https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/about/covid-19-support/modified-netball-training-unlocked/
