ANZ futureFERNS has been developed after considering the findings from the Junior Netball Review, local research, academic research, other sports and feedback from pilots run in 14 Netball Centres throughout the country in 2013.

The new junior Netball programme meets the players’ social, physical and cognitive needs and abilities. Children are not mini adults so their sport is being modified accordingly.

Some of the benefits are:

• More touches on the ball which means more opportunities for development.
• Focus on developing the fundamental movement skills.
• Less players on court, therefore less complicated decision making.
• Modified equipment and court size – scaled down from the adult version to fit the children.
• More attempted and successful shots at goal.
• Developing a lifelong love of Netball.

Sport for young people ought to be modified to suit their age, size and ability as children are not mini adults. Netball has been modified since the 1900’s and as we learn more from reviews, research and other sports, further adaptions have been made to ensure the game meets the needs of the players and grows as the players grow. ANZ futureFERNS aims to provide the players a fun and safe environment, maximise opportunities to participate and develop their skills and provide a progressive introduction to Netball, developing a lifelong love of the game.