2024  Year 1-4 Season

This programme is held at the Selwyn Sports Centre in Rolleston on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday afternoons between 3.30pm - 5.45pm, with the programme commencing the week of Monday 27th May 2024 through to Monday 12th August 2024.


Year 1-2 Information

http://www.sporty.co.nz/selwynnetball/futureferns-1/year-12-futureferns-1


Year 3-4 Information

http://www.sporty.co.nz/selwynnetball/futureferns-1/year-34-futureferns-1


About futureFERNS

futureFERNS is Netball New Zealand’s official junior Netball programme for Year 1 - 8 children.  

To ignite a lifelong involvement in Netball, a sequential programme has been developed that is at the right level for the players at each stage. The emphasis is on fun activities conducted in a safe environment. Small sided games are the preferred training method and are proven to be the most appropriate way to enhance skill and tactical development.

futureFERNS is focused on enabling individuals to experience personal achievements and the benefits for the players and parents are:

Players

  • FUN
  • Development of sound fundamental Netball skills
  • Participation in a safe learning environment
  • Playing with their friends and meeting others
  • Active physical involvement
  • Lifelong love of Netball

Parents

  • Reassurance that their child is participating in a NNZ endorsed programme
  • Enhancement of the child’s social and fundamental skills
  • Ability to share skills and knowledge with the Netball community
  • Opportunity to learn more about Netball
  • Opportunity to spend time with and play with their children
  • Prospect to make new friends
  • Value for money

Sessions consist of a skill component followed by a fun game.

The FutureFerns Junior program is designed so that our young athletes get the best experience possible from the sport. This is why there is a different skill focus each week. The Organisers are in control of the way they learn. Positive encouragement is the best way for the player to retain the information they learn from week to week. However with this positive encouragement the Organiser (and parents) need to be aware of at what time the player needs to learn from their mistakes. When they are playing the game and there is a mistake it should be penalised. 

The NetballSmart Warm-Up that is completed at the beginning of each week has been designed to give the players the strength needed and to warm up their muscles properly. Organisers (and parents) should ensure the players perform these exercises correctly and that the children are completing ONLY the exercises listed in the program. 

The programs at year 1/2 and 3/4 are different so to ensure you understand the specifics of each year level, see the rules of the games below;

RULES OF THE YEAR 1-2 GAME:

The Court: One third of a netball court. Two hoops as goals approx 2.1m high

The Game: 2x 8 minute halves. Textured ball

  • Four per team on court with coloured bibs. (rolling subs)
  • Players use paper, scissors, rock to decide who has the first half at the beginning of each half.
  • Play starts with a throw-in behind the oppositions goal line. After a goal is scored, play continues with a throw-in from goal line. 
  • Players are encouraged to pass or shoot the ball within 5 seconds.Players are encouraged to be stationary once they have received the ball. They are allowed to take additional steps to gain balance but walking with the ball should be discouraged. 
  • Players are NOT allowed to defend or mark the ball thrower, allowing space to pass and vision of passing options.
  • Players CAN defend players awaiting passes and intercepting the ball is encouraged. A player may not push, trip, knock, bump or hold an opponent, whether this move is deliberate or accidental. 

RULES OF THE YEAR 3-4 GAME:

The Court: Two thirds of a Netball Court. Two marked goal circles. Two goals 2.6m high.

The Game: 4x 8 minute quarters, Size 4 ball.

  • Five players per team on court with bibs A, A, C, D, D. (rolling subs)
  • To start the game the C of each team with use paper, scissors, rock to decide who will start with the ball every quarter.
  • Play starts from half way (transverse line) in the middle of the court. After a goal is scored, play restarts from halfway by the opposing team. 
  • Players are encouraged to pass or shoot the ball within 5 seconds. Players are encouraged to be stationary once they have received the ball whether landing on one feet or both. 
  • To allow the ball thrower passing options layers must be at least 1m away.  A player may not push, trip, knock, bump or hold an opponent, whether this move is deliberate or accidental. 

These are the rules of the game the players are playing. To learn they need to be penalised. This is the nature of sport. If a player goes offside, steps, holds the ball too long etc there is a turnover of ball. As the Organiser you need to be enforcing this in your games.   

West Melton Netball Club - Years 1-4:

Years 1/2 and 3/4 teams are focussed on working on skill development, playing with their friends, making new friends and most importantly having FUN!  

Uniform:

There is a WMNC Year 1-4 t-shirt avaiable to buy (not compulsory) or any plain navy blue t-shirt would be accepted.

Team Organiser/Star Helper:

At this age group, SNC require each team to have a named 'Organiser' (as opposed to a traditional Coach).  As an 'Organiser' you do not need to have any prior experience or knowledge of the game of netball but instead, you need to have enthusiasm and enjoyment in seeing the children develop their skills.

Practice:

Teams can choose to practice or not and will depend on the how much time the parents/organiser have available to assist.  

Transport:

Ultimately it is the parents responsibility to get their child to and from The Selwyn Sports Centre in Rolleston (Mondays - Thursday)  We recommend working with the team organiser and other parents to arrange car pooling or similar if you are not able to take your child each week.

​​​​​​​Plan:

  • 15 min warm up
  • 5-7 mins Activity 1 (skill) e.g. shooting
  • 5-7 mins Activity 2 - builds on developing the skill.
  • Game Time 4 X 8 min quarters.
  • 4-5 min Cool Down

The game is 5 aside played over 2/3 of the netball court. Players are rotated each quarter with 2 Defences, 2 Attacks and 1 Centre.

If you would like to assist with the Year 1/2 or 3/4 programme, please email us on [email protected]