Netball is a ball sport played by two teams of seven players, usually on an indoor court, and is predominantly played by women. It is among a rare number of sports which have been created exclusively for the female sex, although efforts to expand the game to mixed and men's teams now exist. Originating in England, UK, in the late 19th century, the sport is played specifically in schools and is most popularly played in Commonwealth nations. The sport also uses outdoor netball courts. The sport, originally described as 'women's basketball', but distinct from the related sport of basketball as played by women, is distinguished from its 'sister' sport by the bar on dribbling, bouncing or running in possession of the ball, and the rules defining positions which detail in which court areas specific players can compete. Netball, therefore, is even more focussed on accurate passing and positioning than its sister sport, and physical player contact more controlled.
The 2007 World Netball Championships was the 12th edition of the INF Netball World Cup, a quadrennial premier event in international netball co-ordinated by the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA). Sixteen nations contested the title from 10 to the 17 November. It was held in the West part of Auckland, New Zealand. Forty-eight matches over 8 days were played in The Trusts Stadium, Waitakere. The event was broadcast to over half a dozen countries
The Cook Islands national netball team represent the Cook Islands in international netball. In recent years they have finished 1st at the 2019 Pacific Games, 1st at the 2018 Nations Cup in Singapore, 10th at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and 7th at the 2007 World Netball Championships; the Cook Islands did not qualify for the 2011 World Championships in Singapore. The Cook Islands team were ranked as high as 10th in the INF World Rankings at one stage, now currently 14th.
The Fiji National Netball Team better known at the Fijian Pearls represents Fiji in international netball competition. Fiji have competed at nine World Netball Championships, finishing sixth in their best placing at the 1999 tournament. They have also competed at two Commonwealth Games, and won the netball event at the South Pacific Games for a number of years. They have won gold at every games since 1991. They are also the current Pacific Champions, winning the all Pacific Series since its inception.
The Oceania Netball Federation is the regional body within the International Federation of Netball Associations that governs netball across Oceania. The current president is Wainikiti Bogidrau from Fiji. There are currently twenty four countries within the Oceania region. There are seven full members with New Zealand the only one with elite status. Realistically only thirteen nations, predominantly Commonwealth nations, play the game.
The Cook Islands compete as a part of netball's Oceania region. More than 1,000 players have registered to play the sport. Participation in the game grew during the 1970s. Much of this is possible because of the national governing organisation, the Cook Islands Netball Association which is a member of Oceania Netball Federation. Because of the level of organisation and the game's development, the country has participated at several international events including the Pacific Games, the Commonwealth Games, the World Games, the Oceania Netball Tournament, the World Youth Netball Championship, and the International Challenge Men's and Mixed Netball Tournament. A demonstration of the Cook Islands success can be found by looking at the national team: It is one of the top ranked in the world.
Netball in Fiji is a popular sport, with a men's and a women's national team. Netball games are most often played by girls on Saturdays during the winter, though games can be played at all times of the year. Women's participation in netball is comparable to men's participation in rugby.
Netball in Samoa is a popular game, usually played by girls on Saturdays during the winter, though games can be played at all times of the year. The sport started to grow in popularity during the 1970s. The popularity of netball is also growing amongst men on the island.
Netball in Tonga is a popular sport, usually played by girls on Saturdays during the winter, though games can be played at all times of the year.
Netball in Oceania is generally regarded as a woman's sport. Women's sports in Oceania have traditionally had a very low profile. Despite this, netball is popular in Oceania, with its growth partly because of New Zealand encouraging the game and providing money for the training of coaches, umpires and other netball development needs. In New Zealand and in neighbouring Australia, netball is one of the most popular sports played by women.
Netball is a popular participant sport in some parts of the world, particularly in countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. According to the IFNA, over 20 million people play netball in more than 72 countries. IFNA member nations are divided into five regional groups: Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
The 1963 South Pacific Games, held from 29 August to 9 September 1963 at Suva in Fiji, was the first edition of the South Pacific Games. The multisport games were established to engender bonds of friendship amongst peoples in the Pacific, after an idea originated by Dr A.H. Sahu Khan was adopted by the South Pacific Commission. At a meeting of nine Territories, held in Nouméa during March 1961, Fiji was awarded the honour of hosting the first Games.
The 1995 South Pacific Games, held at Papeete in French Polynesia from 25 August to 5 September 1995, was the tenth edition of the South Pacific Games.
The 1979 South Pacific Games, held at Suva in Fiji from 28 August to 8 September 1979, was the sixth edition of the South Pacific Games.
Netball at the Pacific Games has been played by women's netball teams from Pacific nations since 1963. It is the oldest Oceania regional tournament.
The Tonga national netball team represents Tonga in international women's netball. Although netball has been played in Tonga, they joined the International Netball Federation in 2011. Tonga won bronze at the South Pacific Games in 1983, 1991 and 1995. On 21 July 2019, Tonga Re-entered at nineteenth in the INF World Rankings.
Swimming competitions have been held at the Pacific Games since the inaugural edition in 1963 at every Games except for 1983. Swimming has also been held once at the South Pacific Mini Games, in 2005.
The Solomon Islands national netball team represents Solomon Islands in international netball. The team competes mainly in tournaments within Oceania, such as the Pacific Games. Their most competitive result to date is a bronze medal at the 1981 South Pacific Mini Games.
Netball at the 2017 Pacific Mini Games in Port Vila, Vanuatu will be held during December 2017.
Netball is one of the sports played at the 2019 Pacific Games which was held at Apia in Samoa. This is the twelfth time that netball has been in the games since its inclusion in 1963. The competition took place between 15 July to 20 July 2019. Eight nations were competing in the competition with the defending champions Fiji being absent due to competing at the 2019 Netball World Cup.
Fiji 
Samoa 
Vanuatu 
Tonga 
Papua New Guinea 
Cook Islands 
Solomon Islands 
Niue 
