Netball NZ to implement rule change

Silver Ferns player Laura Langman competes for the ball against Diamonds player Kim Ravaillion. Photo / Dean Purcell.

Netball New Zealand has confirmed it will implement the new rule changes as set down by the sport's governing body from January 1.

The International Netball Federation voted through a series of amendments to the rulebook during a congress meeting held during the World Cup in Sydney in August earlier this year, but gave its member nations up to a year to phase in the changes.

Netball NZ have decided not to waste any time implementing the changes, with all its national competitions, including the ANZ Championship to be played under the new set of rules.

Key changes include the elimination of whistle following a goal, amendments to injury time and changes to setting a penalty.

Netball NZ chief executive Hilary Poole believes the changes will further increase the amount of active game time in a netball match, which already exceeds that of most sports.

"The feedback we have received about the rule changes from players, coaches and umpires has been overwhelming positive," Poole said.

"I firmly believe the changes will continue to move the sport in a positive direction, as well as improve player enjoyment at all levels and make the game more spectator friendly at the elite level."

Summary of Rule Changes

- Umpires will no longer have to blow their whistle to indicate that a goal has been scored, or when the ball has clearly gone out of court.

- If a player calls injury time, they must now leave the court within 30 seconds, and be substituted by another player, unless the team's primary carer indicates that more time is needed.

- Players can receive cautions and warnings, before being suspended from the game, or ordered off, depending on the severity of the offence.

- Teams will no longer have to wait for the infringing player to stand down before they take a penalty pass.