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When it comes to buying netball posts it is essential to buy netball hoops that are the right height. This is especially true if you’re buying a netball hoop for children, as using a hoop that is too high can lead to frustration and loss of motivation to play, as children may not have the strength required to get the ball through the hoop.
With this in mind, we have created a comprehensive guide covering all you need to know about netball posts, to make the buying process that bit easier. We’ll cover topics such as the regulation height of netball posts for all ages, the dimensions of all the other parts of a netball post, the different types of netball post fittings available to you plus much more!
After reading our guide you will be able to buy the perfect netball post for you, that exactly suits your needs, as well as having expert knowledge in everything netball posts!
For all adults and junior players over the age of 11, the regulation height of a netball post as set out by World Netball rules is 10ft (3.05m). This height remains consistent throughout high school, college, club, and international matches. Using a regulation height netball post will ensure that the skills you work on during practice can be transferred into a game.
Kids aged 11 and under will use a lower netball hoop to make the game easier as they learn the basic skills required to play netball. Having the correct netball post height for kids allows them to score more easily, which boosts their overall enjoyment.
Below we have included a table showing recommended netball hoop heights for all ages.
Recommended Netball Post Heights | |
---|---|
AGE | POST HEIGHT |
7-9 | 8ft (2.44m) |
9-11 | 9ft (2.74m) |
11 and over | 10ft (3.05m) |
At Net World Sports, all of our netball posts have a height adjustability feature, allowing you to easily interchange between heights dependant on the age of the user. This also means as your child gets older, you won’t have to buy a new post every time they enter a new age category. Height adjustability is also perfect for schools or recreation centres that may have a range of different ages using their netball posts.
There are other important netball post dimensions to note when buying a post. Ensuring you have the correct hoop/ring diameter is important as if it is too small the ball may not go through the hoop. On the flip side of that, if it is too big it will be too easy to score. The standard internal ring diameter is 15in (380mm), a size that remains consistent throughout all levels of netball.
Ensuring the post you have is thick enough will ensure the whole structure remains upright and can withstand regular ball impact. Most netball posts tend to have a diameter of between 2.5in-4in (65mm-100mm). However, some practice and junior sized posts have a diameter of 2in (50mm).
The horizontal metal rod that runs parallel to the ground and attaches the vertical post to the ring is known as the ‘neck’ of the netball hoop. It has an overall length of 6in (150mm) and a thickness identical to that of the main post. This also remains consistent on all netball posts.
All netball courts have two netball posts, each positioned directly opposite one another in the centre of each goal line, which marks both ends of the netball court. A regulation court has a total width of 50ft (15.25m), which means that each post should be positioned exactly 25ft (7.63m) away from each sideline to ensure that the netball post is at the centre most point of each goal line. The back of the post should be in line with the back edge of the goal line.
Netball hoops can be manufactured using a variety of materials which make up the post, base, and net. Here we will go through the individual components of netball posts, highlighting the pros and cons of the materials that can be used for each.
The vertical upright, neck and ring of the netball post are most commonly manufactured from either galvanized steel or aluminum. Aluminum is the most expensive of the two materials but offers the greatest durability as well as being relatively lightweight. Professional netball posts will typically use aluminum for this reason. Galvanized steel posts offer slightly less durability than aluminum, but still perform well at a lower cost. Steel is more than suitable for posts used in competitive matches, training and for home use. Using a powder coated paint on either of these materials will make the structure rust-proof and weather-proof, which will increase the lifespan on the netball post.
Certain types of netball posts will be attached to a base that keeps the structure secure and upright. Like the upright, the base will be manufactured from galvanized steel or aluminum. As mentioned earlier aluminum will provide the greatest stability and durability but that comes at a greater cost. Steel will still offer comparable durability and structural stability at a lower cost.
Another option for the base is HDPE (high-density polyethylene). HDPE is an ultra-durable thermoplastic that isn’t as secure as the metals but provides sufficient stability at a lower price point, making it perfect for bases on netball posts used in backyards and on driveways.
Nylon net twine is the perfect material for a netball net. It is flexible, robust and can withstand repeated impacts from netballs, and allows the ball to drop through the net without getting stuck.
All of our netball nets will use 2mm think nylon twine to give you the most reliable, long-lasting net possible on your netball post that won’t fray.
All netball posts are fixed to the ground in one of two ways; they are either freestanding or socketed to the ground. The location in which you plan to play will ultimately decide which type you should opt for. Here we’ll cover both types of netball post and outline the different scenarios where each post is most suitable.
Freestanding netball goal posts aren’t permanently fixed to the ground and are fitted to a base to keep the structure fully upright and secure. This makes the posts fully portable and especially useful for netball posts purchased for home use and schools or sports clubs, where the facilities are used ‘for a variety of sports. The freestanding posts that are fitted with wheels are even easier to transport as they can pushed around with ease, without requiring multiple people to lift the structure or disassemble/reassemble the goal post.
Our Freestanding Netball Posts are equipped with a self-weighted, weather/rust-resistant, steel or aluminum frame and base to prevent toppling, as well as nylon non-slip wheels for easy transportation anywhere! We also carry a robust steel post with an HDPE wheeled base that is perfect for home use.
Socketed netball posts provide a permanent fixing for dedicated indoor/outdoor netball courts, backyards and driveways, who plan on using the netball posts regularly. The post itself is often inserted into a sleeve or socket that has been concreted into the ground, making the structure more difficult to transport, but offers a more stable netball post that won’t topple over. When purchasing a socketed netball post, you have to be certain on the location you wish to have the structure erected, as once fitted, the socket/sleeve can’t be moved. If you wish to move your post, you will have to purchase a new socket/sleeve rather than a whole new structure. It is also recommended that a qualified contractor should carry out the installation, as they can check the that the ground will be able to keep the post stable, and install the post properly, preventing it from sinking, leaning, or toppling.
Our Socketed Netball posts are again manufactured using high-quality galvanised steel that is rust-proof and weather-resistant. The ground sleeve is supplied and holds the socketed netball post securely in place. All netball posts are provided with an optional foam pole pad to ensure the safety of its users that collide with the post.
If you’re limited for space, then a netball ring and net that is mounted onto a wall is a great option. Using an attachment plate and metal bolts, netball rings are able to be fitted to any strong concrete wall. Wall-mounted rings are more common in schools and recreation centres that are used for multiple sports, as you won’t need to move the structure if you’re using the space for other activities. These rings are also suitable for use at home if you have a solid wall on the side of your house or garage. It is recommended that a qualified tradesperson fits the netball ring, as they can check the structural integrity of the wall and ensure that the ring is securely installed. You must be sure on the positioning of your ring, as it can be time-consuming to move once fixed to the wall.
Now that you have read our complete netball hoop guide why not check out our full range of premium-quality FORZA netball equipment.
As well as a variety of netball posts, we carry all the equipment you need to fully kit out you and your netball club. Whether it be netballs, training rebounders or coaching equipment, if you’re looking to take your game to the next level, we’ve got you covered.