Junior Netball

"FUN with FUNdamentals"

Our JuniorNet G1 & 2 program is a junior development program, focussing on fundamental motor / netball skills and has been designed to introduce young children to organised sport.

G1 School Year 1 (and prep in term 4): comprises a play based skills program. The emphasis is on the acquisition of basic motor skills, in a fun environment of games and activities appropriate to the age and abilities of children.

G2 School Year 2: refinement of netball specific skills and their application to the game are introduced.

Participants join the program as individuals, or in teams or clubs. We will group children with their nominated friends.
Players are arranged into groups of approx 10 with 2 coaches / group.
Coaches are older BNA netballers / Boroondara Power representative team players who are accredited and also learning the skills of coaching.
Children rotate around different stations doing different games and activities.
This program involves game play. There is no organised competition structure.

Program:

Boroondara Netball Centre, Macleay Park, Nth Balwyn
Friday afternoons, 4.00 - 5.00pm
Terms 2 & 3, (term 4 optional)
Players may join the program at any time IF there are places available. However, there is no reduction in cost.
Costs include ball, shirt, insurance, coaching
No sessions school hols, long weekends
Children in PREP are eligible to join the program in Term 4.

Terms 2 & 3 FULL

May 2 - September 5

15 sessions: no sessions: long weekend: June 6 / school hols: July 4, 11, 18

Cost: $195 ($180 if you have a shirt from 2024)

Term 4 (optional) + PREPS

October 10 - November 28

7 sessions: no session long weekend October 31

Cost: $110 ($85 if you have a shirt & ball from Terms 2/3)

What happens after JuniorNet G1/2

To register: click here

Please note that this is a very popular program and we are limited by court space and coach availablity. Therefore, it is strongly advised that registration forms are returned promptly. Only those who have returned their registration form and payment will be accepted and registrations will close when full. Others will be placed on a waiting list for inclusion in the program if a place becomes available. It is inappropriate to arrive at the courts with a child expecting to play without being registered as this is distressing for the child (and us).

"Learn thru Play"

Our JuniorNet G3 program is a junior development program for children in Year 3. Children in Year 4 with no prior netball learning are also eligible to participate. It incorporates netball specific skill development learnt through activities and game play, with the emphasis on participation and FUN. Similar programs include netball (Net Set Go), AFL (Auskick), hockey (Minkey Hockey) and basketball (Ozball).

In Term 2, each session is split to deliver a specific netball skill followed by match play with a focus on that particular skill ie) footwork, defending, throwing etc. Term 3 will involve match play only with "hands-on" coaching / learning.

Participants register individually, or as teams / clubs - we will group children with their nominated friends.
Children are placed into groups of approx 10 (according to their nominated friends) with 2 coaches / group
Coaches are older BNA netballers / Boroondara Power rep team players, who are accredited and also learning the skills of coaching.
Modified Rules & Equipment as recommended by Netball Australia for NetSetGo: see table below.

Program:

Boroondara Netball Centre, Macleay Park, Belmore Rd, Nth Balwyn
Friday afternoons, 4.00 - 5.00pm
Terms 2 & 3 only (In term 4: players join a club or form their own team to play matches in the 7 wk Yr 3/4 Spring Fling)
Coaches & Umpires provided
No sessions long weekend & school holidays
Cost includes ball, T shirt, insurance, coaches etc

Terms 2 & 3	May 2 - September 5
15 sessions	Term 2 = 8 weeks skills sessions (30 mins) & match play (30 mins) focussing on the skill learnt Term 3 = 7 weeks match play
No sessions	Long weekend: June 6 / School hols: July 4, 11, 18
Cost	$195 ($180 if you have a shirt from 2024)

To register: click here

Modified Rules & Equipment:

JuniorNet G3 RULES (same as Netball Australia NetSetGo rules)

Compare:	Netball	NetSetGO! & JuniorNet
Ball	size 5 (equivalent to a medicine ball for a child)	size 4
GoalPosts	10 ft (equivalent to 14ft for a child)	8 ft (2.4m)
Timing	3 seconds (equivaelnt to 2 secs for a child)	5 seconds
Defending	3 ft (equivalent to 1 ft for child)	4 ft (1.2m) one-on-one defending no defending a shot at goal
Contact / Obstruction	Stand out of play	Not penalised but rule explained
Footwork	No stepping	1 - 2 steps to regain balance is allowed
Positions	Rotation preferable in juniors	Rotated each quarter Players experience all positions
Game Time	Varies	Evenly distributed amongst all players
Substitutions	Only during intervals and for injury	Unlimited at any time
Centre Pass	Alternating teams	Taken by the team that did not score the last goal
Scores	scores / finals	no scores / finals

Key Words:

Non-Competitive	no ladders, finals
Netball Skill Development, "FUN with FUNdamentals"	the focus in JuniorNet G1&G2
Netball Skill Development via match play, "Learn thru Play"	the focus in JuniorNet G3
Transition to junior competition	the focus in JuniorNet G4
FUN!	the ultimate aim.

Boroondara Junior Netball Pathway:

School Year	Program	Description	Click
1 (Prep in term 4)	JuniorNet G1	FUN with FUNdamentals - play based fundamental motor skills	JuniorNet G 1/2
2	JuniorNet G2	FUN with FUNdamentals - play based fundamental NETBALL specific skills	JuniorNet G 1/2
3	JuniorNet G3	Term 2: Netball skill development blended with matches Term 3: Netball matches using modified equipment and rules Term 4: Join a club to play matches in the Spring Fling. Note: children in Year 4 with no prior netball learning may join the G3 program	JuniorNet G3
4	Juniornet G4	Club based non competitive matches, no finals, no ladders	JuniorNet G4
5	Competition	Club based competitive weekly matches with ladders & finals	Saturday competition

Note: equal gender opportunites for children in Yr6 & below - no restrictions on male / female playing ratios

Our junior sport philosophy:

"To encourage players to play in a cooperative way without the pressures of a "win at all costs" competition. The emphasis is on skill development, team participation and commitment, applying good sporting behaviour and, above all, enjoyment, ie) Non-competitive, Skill development, FUN!"

The Boroondara Netball Association accepts and abides by the Netball Australia Junior Sport Policy. Netball Australia Junior Netball Policy

Research by Netball Australia has shown that provision of an age appropriate, staged progression for Netball participation is an essential element in developing confident, happy and skilled participants. "Fun" is the most common reason children give for playing sport.

Introduction to any sport should be:

Age appropriate: recognising that a child's physiology, size, skeletal maturity, movement mechanics and cognitive development differ significantly from adults.
Non-competitive: allowing children to develop their skills at their own pace and without competitive stress.
Positive: ensuring that children experience a feeling of success and confidence.
Gender neutral: equal gender opportunites for young children (primary school age)

BNA History:

The Boroondara Netball Association has coordinated a specific Junior Development Program since 1990.

Originally the program was called Netta Netball, an "untiered" program catering for all age groups in young children. In 2004, we introduced the Netball Australia FunNet program which catered specifically for children aged 5 - 7yrs with Netta catering for the older level.

In 2014 Netball Australia introduced the NetSetGo program, incorporating both Funnet and Netta Netball in a tiered program:

NET (Tier 1 / Funnet) = motor skills for children aged 5 - 7
SET (Tier 2 / Netta Netball ) = modified netball for children aged 8 - 10
GO = non-competitive transition to junior competition

In 2015 we introduced our JuniorNet program based on Netball Australia's NetSetGo program and the Australian Sports Commission "Play for Life" and "Change It" programs. Our program is based on school year level rather than specific age groups. We have our own sponsors, uniform, and participant insurance. Our program has been developed by Associate Professor Helen Brown, Deakin University School of Exercise and Nutrition, whose research focuses on "behaviour change in sport and physical activity with a specific focus on sport coaching and inclusive practice". She has written the program 1) to ensure all children have a positive experience whilst learning netball skills and 2) to mentor and support young netball coaches as they too commence their coaching pathway.

Compulsory Requirements:

Minimum age	Year 8 (year 7 as an assistant)
Submit our on-line JuniorNet Coaching Application form	Click here
Complete the Netball Victoria on-line Foundation Coaching course	Click here
Attend the Coach Induction session= compulsory	Friday, March 21, Boroondara Netball Centre, 4.15 - 5pm

2025 Program details:

Program	JuniorNet G1 / 2	JuniorNet G3
For	children in school year 1 & 2 Prep in term 4 only	children in school year 3
Time	Fridays, 4.00 - 5.00pm	Fridays, 4.00 - 5.00pm
Dates	Terms 2 & 3, May 2 - September 5 Term 4 (option):October 10 - November 28	April 26 - September 6
Sessions	Term 2 & 3: 15 sessions Term 4: 7 sessions	15 sessions
Coaches	Max. 2 per group of 10-12	Max. 2 per group of 10
Payment	$20 per session attended $15 if any sessions missed without organising a replacement	$20 per session attended $15 if any sessions missed without organising a replacement

The JuniorNet program is a great way to start coaching for the following reasons:

ENVIRONMENT	the program is non competitive & fun it is a non-threatening environment for young coaches as the children just want to learn and have fun the social environment is fun with around 30 young coaches participating each week
SESSIONS	all sessions are clearly structured and provided to each coach at the start of the program learn how to structure a training session, observe and correct faults the main teaching points of each session are explained to all coaches before the program commences coaches themselves will learn the basic principles of netball skills, often lacking in their own game ie) footwork, landing skills and drills learnt can be applied to any age group
SUPPORT	we provide a minimum ratio of 2 coaches per 10-12 children all coaches are directly mentored by a senior coach all equipment is provided by the Boroondara Netball Association
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT	earn some pocket money gain self confidence and leadership skills learn to be a positive role model as the children talk about you at "show & tell", bring their art work for you and eagerly anticipate every week. They will never forget their first coach!

Important principles for Junior Coaches:

SAFETY	Ice and First Aid supplies available from office All children should have a drink bottle and wear a hat
PREPARATION	All coaches and apprentices to read and prepare the session beforehand. Group coaches to explain drill to children while apprentices set up the equipment. Keep things moving so children do not become distracted or bored.
GROUPING	Do not allow children to form their own groups to avoid less dominant children missing out. Never exclude anyone from the group. Try to mix & match so everyone gets to know each other. Method – line up and give every player a number (say 1 – 5), then same numbers pair off.
ROTATION	Always rotate members when grouping Always rotate playing positions during matches We will provide a rotation roster for each group in the second half when match playing.
COMMUNICATION	– ALWAYS POSITIVE !!! Need short, simple instructions, not essays! Remember different children learn at different rates Do not just focus on the dominant children; include the shy, less skilful children in leadership roles. Positive feedback always regardless of how minor the issue was. Praise good sportsmanship ++++ Make every child feel good about themselves; never ridicule No negative comments such as “that was wrong!” – It is better to say “why don’t we do it this way?”
DEMONSTRATION	Always demonstrate the activity using your apprentices as examples. Repetition is boring
DISCIPLINE	Seek the advice of an official if child being disruptive Do not discipline children by sending them off the court
PARENTS	Encourage parents to stand at the end of the court, not along side-lines or on the court. If parents approach you, please ask them to wait until the end of the session. If parents verbally abuse you or their child, please come and get one of us! If parents have a grievance, ask them to come to the office and complete a grievance form. Never engage in arguments in front of children.