Following publication of the Scottish Government’s Coronavirus (COVID-19): Scotland’s Strategic Framework, we are delighted to confirm that the indicative date of Monday 2^nd November 2020 for the launch of our Modified Game Plan will go ahead for the following: –

Members aged 12-17 Years, Outdoors, Level 0, 1, 2 & 3

Members aged 18+ Years, Outdoors, Levels 0, 1 & 2

We are currently in discussion with Scottish Government regarding approval of the Modified Game for the following: –

Members aged 18+, Outdoors, Level 3

Affiliated members, clubs and Local Associations must continually monitor their Local Protection Level as set out by the Scottish Government, you can find this information updated weekly here.

Members should implement the Modified Game rules in conjunction with Netball Scotland’s Return to Netball Strategic Framework Guidance and the Scottish Government’s Coronavirus (COVID-19): Scotland’s Strategic Framework.

An overview of all permitted activity can be found here!

An overview of key permitted activity and restrictions per level can be found in the guidance booklets below:

Permitted Activity Guidance for Under 11s can be found here!

Permitted Activity Guidance for those aged 12-17 can be found here!

Permitted Activity Guidance for those aged 18+ can be found here!

Netball Scotland is currently finalising the #NetballReady and Return to Netball Guidance which will support the Permitted Activity Guidance. We expect these to be released early next week.

In the meantime, please familiarise yourself with the documentation above to allow netball activity to continue in line with local permitted activity.

This guidance is applicable from 06.01am on Monday 2^nd November 2020.

International Netball Federation (INF) has launched an official Rules of Netball app for iOS and Android devices, which is free to download and available now. The app is the first of its kind for international netball putting the rules of the game in a digital format for umpires, coaches, players, and fans around the world.

Developed by INF’s Rules Advisory Panel responsible for the rules of netball with Keeper Solutions, a software development company based in Ireland, the app provides the latest version of INF’s rules in a user-friendly format. It features the full text of the rules including definitions, descriptions, images, and all umpire hand-signals. Key benefits include; the ability to bookmark rules and pages enabling users to come back to a specific section at a later date, and a search function so users can quickly find what they are looking for. A link to the INF’s current Fast5 rules is also included on the app.

Cheryl Danson, Chair of the Rules Advisory Panel comments: “As the game of netball continues to evolve around the world, it is vital that there is sound and consistent knowledge of the Rules and how these are to be applied. This is a crucial and exciting first step in this journey.”

Clare Briegal, CEO of INF comments: “This app is an exciting development for INF and something which has been sought after from the netball family for a long time. The Rules of Netball are an essential resource to everyone in the game and it’s great to be able to develop the current rules into an application that users can download on their devices anywhere in the world. This supports our aspiration to grow our game and bring new participants to netball. The Rules of Netball app will enable netballers to enhance their knowledge of the game and develop international play around the world. The app is part of our digital strategy which aims to transform the world of netball through innovation and technology, and it’s fantastic to see this starting to come to life.”

In addition to viewing the rules of netball, users can also subscribe to news from the INF, receive the latest rules updates, connect with INF social channels and website. The next phase of the app will see video embedded, enabling users to watch examples and animations to build understanding of how the Rules should be applied during a match.

Download the Rules of Netball via the iOS store here.

Download the Rules of Netball via the Google Play Store here.

Netball Scotland are excited to announce the formation of our first ever Players Advisory Group. Our Scottish Thistles, Strathclyde Sirens and U21 coaches and captains will come together to ensure the collective player voice is heard within Netball Scotland. These voices will optimise player experiences and environment, enhance future learnings, and innovate to shape future player experiences provided by Netball Scotland.

Claire Maxwell, Scottish Thistles Captain, has witnessed the rise of netball in Scotland as she has progressed through the athlete pathway from a young age and this next step is no exception: “I am delighted to have a Players Advisory Group launched in Scotland. Netball has seen a rapid growth in professionalism over the past decade and I am excited to be on board to help support the future of netball players in Scotland.”

Tamsin Greenway, Scottish Thistles National Coach, is looking forward to being an integral part of this step in the right direction for our athletes in Scotland: “This is such an important and forward thinking move by Netball Scotland to introduce the Netball Players Advisory Group. When you talk about creating a culture and building success, a player’s voice and opinion is so important. To work towards a common goal when you feel you’ve all been heard and valued is so powerful and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve as a collective on this journey.”

In the creation of the Players Advisory Group, we have built a great relationship with the Netball Players Association (NPA) of which many of our players and coaches are a member of.  The NPA’s primary aim is to represent the player’s views on issues affecting professional and semi-professional netball players in the United Kingdom.

Liz Bloor, NPA Managing Director, had this to say: “Working with our Scottish members and Netball Scotland to establish this group has been a very positive start in establishing a strong working relationship between the NPA and Netball Scotland. We are looking forward to building on this by continuing to provide support services to our members which complement the Netball Scotland programmes and ensuring that the players voice is at the heart of the decision-making process.”

As a member of the NPA, Karen Atkinson, Strathclyde Sirens Technical Director, is looking forward to the opportunities this will bring for our athletes: “These are exciting times for Netball Scotland, the Scottish Thistles and Strathclyde Sirens as we work closely with the Netball Players Association.  I have always been a huge advocate of the NPA, it’s vision and of players having a voice at the performance level of the game so the creation of the Players Advisory Group will ensure that performance staff and players work closely on performance related matters to ensure there is open, clear, and transparent communication.  It is a real positive step forward for the game in Scotland.”

Netball Scotland CEO Claire Nelson added: “This is an important move for us as a sport and organisation. I have always advocated strongly for the player’s voice to be integral in key strategic and operational decision making and now through the formation of our new Advisory Group we can advance and improve on how we engage with our existing and future elite athletes in order to achieve our collective ambitions on the court. My thanks must go to the NPA for their support and guidance throughout the development and launch of the Group – I look forward to working closely with them as we strive to ensure netball leads the way in the support, development and protection of elite athletes.”

This week marks an important next step towards the return of sport in communities across the country with indoor sports courts and swimming pools now able to reopen in line with the latest Scottish Government public health guidance.

The Scottish Sports Governing Bodies Forum and Executive Group welcomes Monday’s communication from Stewart Harris, CEO, sportscotland announcing the release of a £1.5m COVID Support Fund to support Scotland’s sporting system (Sportscotland set up £1.5m Covid support fund for governing bodies). This timely statement recognises that whilst progress has been made with the re-opening of sports facilities across Scotland, this does not mean a full restart of sport as we know it and that many sports, particularly those reliant on accessing indoor sports facilities for Club training and competition, face a much slower return as local Trusts and leisure operators take a cautious and phased approach to the re-opening of their facilities.

We want to see more progress made in line with the latest public health guidance at all levels of sport, to ensure that clubs and local communities have access to facilities. The SGB Forum continues working with partners across the sporting system including sportscotland, the Scottish Government and Local Authorities and Local Trusts to bring about the safe return of sport, and is committed to ensuring that all of Scotland’s sports club members, volunteers and communities can access critical and much loved sporting and physical activity opportunities as soon as possible.

However, whilst there is a clear desire from all partners to reopen facilities and get our sports into these facilities as quickly as is safely possible, the ongoing difficulties presented by COVID-19, including facility staff on furlough, training requirements and venue remodelling to comply with social distancing measures, means that it is unlikely that all venues will be able to reopen fully for some time to come.

In the meantime, as a sector, we need the support, understanding and backing of all our Clubs and Members now more than ever as we work to protect the rich sporting fabric of our nation and strive to bring sporting activity back to being at the heart of our Scottish communities once more.

The Scottish Governing Bodies Forum.

On Thursday the 18^th of June the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon announced that Scotland will move to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s route map out of lockdown regulations which will see the gradual easing of some key restrictions.  We welcome this latest announcement but would like to remind all members that all netballing activities in Scotland – including small sided games, formalised training, match play and competitions – remain suspended for the time being as public health and wellbeing remains our number one priority.  Our members can, however, incorporate some netball fitness activity into their daily physical activity as a further extension of exercise guidelines, and you can find links to some suggested skills and drills here.

Based on the latest guidance set out by the Scottish Government, Netball Scotland has developed a set of practical guidelines for members to follow so that they can be clear on what this latest Phase means for our sport and, most importantly, to continue to protect the health and wellbeing of our members and local communities.

Phase 2 key changes and updates:

• You are now able to meet with 2 other households outside, up to a maximum of 8 people, and maintaining a physical distance of 2 meters at all times.
• You should continue to stay in your local area and should not travel more than 5 miles for leisure or recreation activities.
• Indoor sports facilities remain closed, but outdoor sports courts may now reopen from the 29^th of June onwards for use by the public whilst maintaining social distancing.
• Avoid using public transport to meet up with others where possible. Instead walk or cycle to your local destination taking all necessary precautions.

General Guidance:

• If you are showing any signs of COVID-19, including a cough, fever or loss of smell or taste you must self-isolate and must not meet up with people outside of your household. Click here to read more about the symptoms and what to do if you have them.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before leaving home and again when you return. Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitiser for use outside your home. Find guidance on this here.
• Avoid touching surfaces such as court gates, fences, benches, and netball posts where possible. If you do, sanitise your hands before handling your equipment and do not touch your face.
• Do not share equipment, including balls, with anyone outside of your household and ensure to sanitise your equipment thoroughly before and after use.

STAY SAFE. PROTECT OTHERS. SAVE LIVES.

View our guidance infographic booklet: *GUIDANCE UPDATED AS OF 02/07/2020

Click here for our latest guidance in an infographic format.

Links to further information can be found here:

Scottish Government: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 2: Scotland’s route map update

They’re back! Our Club Development Series of Online Workshops are back for another series exclusively for Netball Scotland affiliated Clubs and committee members. We have created this second series to equip, support and prepare you for getting #BackOnCourt under our new normal.

This time round we have a series of 5 webinars planned to make sure you’re all ready to get #BackOnCourt when the time comes:

1. Get your club ready Off Court, for getting #BackOnCourt
2. Navigating PVG’s, Secondary Contracts and a Q&A on Wellbeing and Protection
3. Putting Policy into Practice
4. Adapting Netball for Online
5. Going for the Goal!

You can find out more information on each workshop webinar below, along with the link to book, we can’t wait to see you all there!

Get your club ready Off Court, for getting #BackOnCourt | Tuesday 30^th June | BOOK HERE

The get your club ready off court online webinar is intended for club committee members who are looking to get their club #BackOnCourt

This webinar will discuss and provide useful information on the following areas

• Introduction of the New Club Framework
• Recruit, Retain and Reward Volunteers
• Club Committee/ Club Organisation Structure

Navigating PVG’s, Secondary Contracts and a Q&A | Tuesday 7^th of July | BOOK HERE

The Navigating PVG’s online webinar is intended for club WPOs who are looking for more information on Wellbeing and Protection and will be led by Netball Scotland’s Wellbeing and Protection Officer, Lindsey Booth.

This webinar will discuss and provide useful information on the following areas:

• What is a PVG, who’s responsible for PVGs, who needs it and how do they get one?
• The Wellbeing and Protection Officer Role and Responsibilities, ID checker training and resources, how to keep track
• What is a Secondary contract, does my club need one, how do we put one in place?
• Useful guidance
• Wellbeing Networking Events

Putting Policy into Practice | Tuesday 14^th July | BOOK HERE

The Putting Policy into Practice online webinar is intended for Club Committee Members looking to understand how to adopt NS Policy.

This webinar will discuss and provide useful information on the following areas:

• Social Media & Communication Policy and some helpful tips for using Social Media
• Governing Document – Constitution
• Club policies and the law. NS Adoptable Policies and where to find them
  1. RESPECT
  2. Wellbeing and Protection
  3. Equality and Inclusion
  4. GDPR – Privacy Notice

Adapting Netball for Online | Tuesday 21^st July | BOOK HERE

The Adapting Netball for Online webinar is intended for Club Committee Members who are looking for more information on moving netball online, from training to online meetings and AGM advice.

This webinar will discuss and provide useful information on the following areas:

• Guidance on Training Online
• Consent, health and Safety Disclaimers
• Platforms: how to stay safe
• Online Meetings and AGMs
• Wellbeing and Protection Guidance
• Adaptable Policies and useful guidance

Going for the Goal! | Tuesday 28^th July | BOOK HERE

The Going for the Goal! online webinar is intended for Club Committee Members who are looking to plan for their club’s future

This webinar will discuss and provide useful information on the following areas:

Adaptable Policies and useful guidance

• Health, Safety and Risk Assessment
• Managing Volunteers and Voluteer Policy

Vision and Planning

• Club Vision Statement
• What does the future look like for our club? Development Plan
• Financial Planning/Forecasting
• Funding Applications to support your club development plan and financial forecasting
• People Development before growth

*Please note these webinars are intended for actively affiliated Netball Scotland member clubs and actively affiliated volunteers and committee members only.