Netball - Governing Bodies

IFNA

The International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) is the world governing body for the sport of Netball. It is based in Manchester, England.

The Federation was founded in 1960, following discussions to standardise the rules of netball. Prior to this, many different variations on the game were played around the world, and so international competition was difficult.

IFNA members are split into 5 further regional federations. These are:

Oceania Netball Federation
Confederation of African Netball Associations
Federation of European Netball Associations
Asian Federation of Netball Associations
Americas Federation of Netball Associations.

Responsibilities of IFNA include the formalisation of standardised rules and the regulation of international competition. They are also lobbying to have netball included as a sport in the Olympic games.

AENA

The All England Netball Association is the national governing body for the sport in England. It was formed in 1926.

For an in-depth look at the AENA please click here.

Welsh Netball Association

Formed in 1945, the WNA is the governing body for netball in Wales. It is based at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. They are responsible for all matters regarding the sport in Wales.

The WNA was a founder member of IFNA in 1960.

Netball Australia

Netball Australia is the national governing body for the sport in Australia. It was formed in 1927, and is based in Melbourne.

It was a founder member of IFNA, and remains registered to the 'Asian Federation of Netball Associations'.

In recent years the sport of netball has become semi-professional in Australasia, with the creation of the ANZ Championship. This features teams from both Austalia & New Zealand. For more information about the ANZ Championship, please click here.

Netball NZ

Netball is the most popular womens sport in New Zealand, and is governed by Netball New Zealand. The association was officially formed in 1970, when it broke away from the New Zealand Basketball Association. However the sport has been popular for much longer, and in fact New Zealand were one of the founder nations of the IFNA.

Despite the close proximity of the two countries, New Zealand is actually a member of a different IFNA regional federation to Australia. New Zealand being affiliated to the 'Oceania Netball Federation'.

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