Netball is a great sport to get involved in, with minimum outlay required in terms of kit required to get started.

General clothing

Getting kitted out for netball need not be an expensive affair. Most female players wear a polo-style shirt or t-shirt and a short pleated skirt, while men wear a polo-style shirt or t-shirt and a pair of shorts.

At the higher levels of the game, the clothing is a little more hi-tech, with some teams opting for all-in-one bodysuits or other specially designed kit. However, when you’re starting out in netball you won’t need to buy such specialist items of kit.

Training shoes

A comfortable pair of training shoes with good grip (suitable for both indoor and outdoor use) to prevent you slipping and sliding about will suffice when you are first starting out. Your trainers should support the middle of your foot and provide cushioning for when you are landing with the ball.

However, as you progress it is worth investing in a pair of netball-specific shoes, with a range of options according to the position you play in. Check out this video from Mizuno to find out how important good shoes are for both your performance and injury prevention.  

Sports socks

Players will also benefit from investing in a good pair of sports socks which provide extra bounce and support on court. It’s worth seeking out sports socks that are designed to give you extra padding in all the right places, rather than just standard socks that you would wear for everyday leisure use.

Netball bibs 

Once you’ve established your best position in netball, you’ll need a bib with lettering on the front and back showing where you play. For example, WD represents Wing Defence, while GA signifies Goal Attack. A bib usually has elastic sides so it can be pulled on and off more easily. Many clubs will supply bibs for you.

The ball

The ball in netball is similar to a basketball, but is lighter, smaller and slightly softer in construction, and usually white in color. Balls tend to have a ‘dimpling’ effect to help with grip. You will normally play with a size 5 ball, although it is recommended that children under 10 years old play with a size 4 ball.

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