# World Netball

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**World Netball** is the worldwide governing body for [netball](/source/Netball). It is responsible for organising the [Netball World Cup](/source/Netball_World_Cup), [Netball at the Commonwealth Games](/source/Netball_at_the_Commonwealth_Games), the [Fast5 Netball World Series](/source/Fast5_Netball_World_Series) and the [Netball World Youth Cup](/source/Netball_World_Youth_Cup). It also publishes the [World Netball Rankings](/source/World_Netball_Rankings) and maintains the [rules of netball](/source/Rules_of_netball). It was originally founded in 1960 as the **International Federation of Women's Basketball and Netball Associations**. After members adopted the name "netball" for the sport, the organisation was renamed the **International Federation of Netball Associations**. Between 2012–13 and 2021, it was known as the **International Netball Federation**, before it adopted its current name.

## Headquarters

World Netball is based at [MediaCityUK](/source/MediaCityUK) in [Salford](/source/City_of_Salford), England.[2][3][4][5]

## History

In 1957, during [Australia's](/source/Australia_national_netball_team) tour of [England](/source/Netball_in_England), discussions took place about standardising the [rules of netball](/source/Rules_of_netball). In 1960, this led to representatives from [Australia](/source/Netball_Australia), [England](/source/England_Netball), [New Zealand](/source/Netball_New_Zealand), [South Africa](/source/Netball_South_Africa), [Wales](/source/Wales_Netball) and the [West Indies](/source/West_Indies) meeting in [Colombo](/source/Colombo), [Ceylon](/source/Sri_Lanka) to establish the **International Federation of Women's Basketball and Netball Associations**. The modern rules of netball were established at this inaugural meeting. It was also agreed to organise the [1963 World Netball Championships](/source/1963_World_Netball_Championships).[6][7][8][9] [Lorna McConchie](/source/Lorna_McConchie) was one of two delegates representing Australia[10] while [Lystra Lewis](/source/Lystra_Lewis) represented the West Indies Netball Board.[11][12] By the 1970s, netball was no longer referred to as "women's basketball" and national associations, such as the [All Australia Netball Association](/source/Netball_Australia), began to the drop the old name for the sport from their names. The world organisation was also renamed the **International Federation of Netball Associations**.[6][13] In 2012–13, the IFNA again changed its name, this time to the **International Netball Federation**.[14][15] In June 2021, the INF announced an official rebrand and became known as **World Netball**.[16][17][18]

## Competitions

### Current

Years Competition 1963– Netball World Cup[19] 1990– Netball at the Commonwealth Games[20] 1988– Netball World Youth Cup[21] 2009– Fast5 Netball World Series[22] 2023– Fast5 Netball at the Commonwealth Youth Games[23]

### Former

Years Competition 2012–2018 World University Netball Championship[24] 1985–1993 Netball at the World Games[3][25]

### Olympics

Main article: [Netball and the Olympic Movement](/source/Netball_and_the_Olympic_Movement)

Since 1995, World Netball has been recognised by the [International Olympic Committee](/source/International_Olympic_Committee).[26][27] World Netball is also a member of the [Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations](/source/Association_of_IOC_Recognised_International_Sports_Federations).[1] However, IOC recognition does not mean automatic inclusion in the [Summer Olympic Games](/source/Summer_Olympic_Games). World Netball applied for netball to be a part of the [2020 Summer Olympics](/source/2020_Summer_Olympics) but was unsuccessful. In August 2021, World Netball declared its intention to work with [Netball Australia](/source/Netball_Australia) to make a compelling case for netball's inclusion at the [2032 Summer Olympics](/source/2032_Summer_Olympics). In March 2025, World Netball and Netball Australia met with the 2032 organising committee.[2][26][27][28][29][30]

## Regions and members

See also: [List of national netball teams](/source/List_of_national_netball_teams)

World Netball has over 80 members. This includes full and associate members. World Netball also has five regional federations, representing [Africa](/source/Africa_Netball), the [Americas](/source/Americas_Netball), [Asia](/source/Asia_Netball), [Europe](/source/Europe_Netball) and [Oceania](/source/Oceania_Netball).[31][32]

Federation Full Members Associate members Africa Netball[33] 15 3 Americas Netball[34][35] 18 2 Asia Netball[36][37] 18 2 Europe Netball[38][39] 13 3 Oceania Netball[40][41] 7 2

## Presidents

Years President Association 1995–1999 Anne Taylor[42][43] New Zealand 1999–2003 Sheryl Dawson[44] New Zealand 2003–2019 Molly Rhone[45][46] Jamaica 2019– Liz Nicholl[46][47][48] Wales

## References

1. ["World Netball CEO Clare Briegal elected as Council member of Association of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF)"](https://netball.sport/archives/21526). World Netball. 17 December 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211217094148/https://netball.sport/archives/21526) 17 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 July 2025.

1. ["World Netball"](https://www.olympics.com/ioc/recognised-international-federations/world-netball). www.olympics.com. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

1. ["World Netball"](https://www.theworldgames.org/members/International-Netball-Federation-67). www.theworldgames.org. Retrieved 3 March 2020.

1. ["World Netball Office in Salford Quays"](https://www.mediacityuk.co.uk/directory/world-netball/). www.mediacityuk.co.uk. Retrieved 12 July 2025.

1. ["Rules of Fast5 Netball – 2024 Edition"](https://netball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-FAST5-Rules-Trial-at-NWS-2024.pdf). World Netball. September 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2025.

1. ["History of Netball"](https://netball.sport/game/history-of-netball/). World Netball. Retrieved 11 July 2025.

1. ["Eastbourne 1963"](https://netball.sport/events-and-results/netball-world-cup/eastbourne-1963/). World Netball. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211202084007/https://netball.sport/eastbourne-1963) 2 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 July 2025.

1. ["All England Netball Association: A History of Netball in England Through the Ages To Present Day"](https://www.ournetballhistory.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1-JM-History-of-Netball.pdf). www.ournetballhistory.org.uk. June 2002. Retrieved 12 March 2024.

1. ["Our Journey"](https://walesnetball.com/our-journey/). walesnetball.com. Retrieved 29 September 2025.

1. ["McConchie, Lorna Jean (1914 - 2001)"](https://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE2269b.htm). *[The Australian Women's Register](/source/The_Australian_Women's_Register)*. www.womenaustralia.info. 25 January 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2017.

1. ["Lystra Lewis"](http://bestoftrinidad.com/netball/lystralewis.html). www.bestoftrinidad.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250914062729/http://bestoftrinidad.com/netball/lystralewis.html) 14 September 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 5 February 2026.

1. ["Lystra Lewis passes on at 85"](https://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.317904.f32e98bcc3). www.guardian.co.tt. 4 July 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2026.

1. ["The History of Netball Australia"](https://netball.com.au/history). netball.com.au. Retrieved 11 September 2021.

1. ["International Federation of Netball Associations"](http://www.netball.org/). www.netball.org. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130420014802/http://www.netball.org/) 20 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 July 2025.

1. ["International Netball Federation"](http://www.netball.org/). www.netball.org. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130423224905/http://www.netball.org/) 23 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 July 2025.

1. ["International Netball Federation announces rebrand to become World Netball"](https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/12323664/international-netball-federation-announces-rebrand-to-become-world-netball). www.skysports.com. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.

1. ["International Netball Federation announces rebrand to become World Netball"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/netball/57338055). www.bbc.co.uk. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.

1. ["International Netball Federation aims to grow, play, and inspire with World Netball rebrand"](https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/inf-world-netball-rebrand/). www.englandnetball.co.uk. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.

1. ["Netball World Cup"](https://netball.sport/events-and-results/netball-world-cup/). World Netball. Retrieved 10 July 2025.

1. ["Commonwealth Games"](https://netball.sport/commonwealth-games). World Netball. Retrieved 20 July 2021.

1. ["Netball World Youth Cup"](https://netball.sport/events-and-results/netball-world-youth-cup/). World Netball. Retrieved 10 July 2025.

1. ["Fast5 Netball World Series"](https://netball.sport/events-and-results/fast5/). World Netball. Retrieved 25 June 2025.

1. ["Fast5 Netball at the Commonwealth Youth Games"](https://netball.sport/events-and-results/commonwealth-youth-games/). World Netball. Retrieved 16 July 2025.

1. ["World University Netball"](https://netball.sport/events-and-results/world-university-netball/). World Netball. Retrieved 10 July 2025.

1. ["World Games – Netball"](https://www.theworldgames.org/sports/Netball-49). www.theworldgames.org. Retrieved 3 March 2020.

1. ["Netball and the Olympics: What's holding the sport back?"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/netball/43821824). www.bbc.co.uk. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

1. ["This women's sport has fought for more than 50 years to be in the Olympics. Could Brisbane 2032 change its fortunes?"](https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/11/sport/netball-olympics-womens-sport-spt). cnn.com. 11 August 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

1. ["Olympic Games"](https://netball.sport/events-and-results/olympic-games/). World Netball. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250307171923/https://netball.sport/events-and-results/olympic-games/) 7 March 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

1. ["WN Position Statement Regarding Netball and the Olympic Games"](https://netball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/WN-Position-Statement-Approved-March-2021.pdf). World Netball. January 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

1. ["World Netball and Netball Australia Meet with Brisbane 2032 CEO, Cindy Hook"](https://netball.sport/events-and-results/olympic-games/). World Netball. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

1. ["Regions & Members"](https://netball.sport/inside-world-netball/regions-members/). World Netball. Retrieved 5 July 2025.

1. ["About Us"](https://netball.sport/inside-world-netball/about-us/). World Netball. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250701093246/https://netball.sport/inside-world-netball/about-us/) 1 July 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 5 July 2025.

1. ["Africa Region"](https://netball.sport/inside-world-netball/regions-members/africa-region/). World Netball. Retrieved 5 July 2025.

1. ["Americas Region"](https://netball.sport/inside-world-netball/regions-members/americas-region/). World Netball. Retrieved 5 July 2025.

1. ["Americas Netball"](https://americasnetball.org/). americasnetball.org. Retrieved 13 July 2025.

1. ["Asia Region"](https://netball.sport/inside-world-netball/regions-members/asia-region/). World Netball. Retrieved 5 July 2025.

1. ["Asia Netball"](https://asianetball.org). asianetball.org. Retrieved 13 July 2025.

1. ["Europe Region"](https://netball.sport/inside-world-netball/regions-members/europe-region/). World Netball. Retrieved 5 July 2025.

1. ["Europe Netball"](https://www.europenetball.com). www.europenetball.com. Retrieved 13 July 2025.

1. ["Oceania Region"](https://netball.sport/inside-world-netball/regions-members/oceania-region/). World Netball. Retrieved 5 July 2025.

1. ["Oceania Netball"](https://www.oceanianetball.com). www.oceanianetball.com. Retrieved 13 July 2025.

1. ["2024 Hall of Fame Inductee – Anne Taylor"](https://netballhamilton.org.nz/latest-news/2024-hall-of-fame-inductee-anne-taylor). netballhamilton.org.nz. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

1. ["Anne Taylor OBE, Wall of fame 2012"](https://www.otago.ac.nz/sopeses/alumni/anne-taylor-obe-wall-of-fame-2012). www.otago.ac.nz. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

1. ["INF Service Award 2019 – Citation for Sheryl Dawson MNZM"](https://netball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Citation-Sheryl-Dawson.pdf). World Netball. February 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2025.

1. ["Rhone takes netball's top job"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-07-20/rhone-takes-netballs-top-job/1451338). www.abc.net.au. 20 July 2003. Retrieved 14 July 2025.

1. ["Liz Nicholl elected President of the International Netball Federation"](https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/news/infpresidency/). www.englandnetball.co.uk. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2025.

1. ["Liz Nicholl: Welsh president of World Netball awarded damehood"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67077783). www.bbc.co.uk. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2025.

1. ["Dame Liz Nicholl DBE re-elected as World Netball (WN) President, as WN appoint first Athlete Director, Stacey Francis-Bayman"](https://netball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Dame-Liz-Nicholl-DBE-re-elected-as-World-Netball-WN-President-as-WN-appoint-first-Athlete-Director-Stacey-Francis-Bayman.pdf). World Netball. February 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [World Netball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Netball) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Netball?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.