HONG KONG NETBALL ASSOCIATION Netball is an international sport played by two teams of seven players and is based on throwing and catching. Goals are scored from within a defined area by throwing the ball in to a ring attached to a 3.05m high post by designated players of the team. Netball is played in over 40 countries throughout the continents and is a popular sport among the Commonwealth countries. Apart from Hong Kong, netball is played in India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore and Sri Lanka in the Asian region. Although originally identified as a sport for women, there are increasing more males playing, in both men's and mixed netball competitions. Netball is played over 4 quarters each of 15 minutes duration, apart from a break of 5 minutes in the half time there is a break of 3 minutes in between the rest of the quarters. During the game, a player with the ball cannot run or dribble, and has to release the ball within three seconds. A goal is scored when the ball passes through the goal ring. Only the Goal Attack and the Goal Shooter can score goals for the team within the goal circle and each goal is worth 1 point. A player cannot deliberately or accidentally come into contact with another player which might interfere play. In addition, players cannot hold any part of their opponents' body with knees, elbows, etc. A player with extended arms must defend from a distance of 0.9m (3 feet). One of the special characteristics of Netball is that each player has a definite position to follow and cannot go offside during the game. This makes netball truly a TEAM sport. The game of Netball has been recognised by the International Olympic Federation as one of the competitive sports on its list in 1995. Netball is also played in the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur 1998 and in Manchester 2002. In Hong Kong, there are approximately 1,200 people playing the game of Netball at various levels. The Hong Kong Netball League has 3 divisions and runs from October to April every year. Inter-school competitions held every year in which local, ESF and international schools will participate. There are also the Netball Development Tournament and Festival of Sports Netball Tournament in which a lot of local Chinese Netballers will make their debut appearance. The Hong Kong Netball Association (HKNA) is keen to promote the sport and encourage more local people to experience this fast and exciting game. Currently the HKNA is running the "Schools Netball Promotion Programme" which focuses on promotion at Secondary Schools. Netball is also one of the Easy Sport under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department "Schools Sports Programme". Hong Kong Netball will also be participating in international and regional events like the World and Asian Netball Championship, which runs every 4 years. If you would like further information about netball, please contact: Hong Kong Netball Association Room 1016, Sports House, 1 Stadium Path, So Kon Po, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Tel: (852) 2504 8208 Fax: (852) 2577 5694 Email: hkna@hksdb.org.hk Or refer to the International Federation of Netball Association Homepage for further information on the game of netball http://www.netball.org * Information & photos provided by the National Sports Association

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