Netball is a fast-paced non-contact sport that shares a number of similarities to basketball. A netball starting team consists of 7 players, but a squad consists of 12 players with 5 substitutes.
Key Performance Indicators / Thing to Consider:
Material:
The Mitre Pursue netball is manufactured with the Nano technology compond rubber surface and dual positive grip emboss, which offers better grip and durability as a result.
Some other fairly high specification netball such as the Mitre Shooter feature a high quality synthetic and natural rubber Nano compound exterior, offer good grip and control on all surfaces
The Mitre Intercept netball is the most popular soft feel training ball, also with a durable wave emboss. This material offers excellent quality grip and is perfect for serious training sessions.
Bladder:
Some of the more expensive netballs such as the Mitre Pursue or the Mitre Shooter feature high air retention performance bladders, which has a positive effect on the performance of the ball, whereas some of the cheaper balls such as the Mitre Oasis netball have rubber bladders, which offer a lower level of performance.
Brand:
Mitre: Mitre are the largest netball manufacturer in the UK, producing a wide range of high quality balls that are used at the highest levels of the game.
Gilbert: Gilbert are also a big name in netball, supplying netballs to the Welsh and Scottish netball associations. The Gilbert Synergie X Match Netball is the Official England Match Netball and also the match ball for the English Super league. Gilbert manufacture a huge range of balls, meeting the needs of a larger target market. Their balls tend to feature a more traditional design, but maintain high performance. The Gilbert Pulse netball is their most popular training ball, whilst the Gilbert Spectra and Gilbert Eclipse are most often used for match balls.
Lusum Netballs were launched in 2015 as an affordable quality training ball. Lusum do not have a marketing spend so the money saved is passed directly to grassroots netball. Lusum netballs are of equal quality netballs but are priced around 25% less than leading brands. Lusum recently launched a new colourway of training netballs of Official size and weight, which are proving popular with club and school netball teams
Sure-Shot: Sure Shot were introduced into the UK netball market from America and is still developing as a brand.
Molten: Molten are also fairly new to the British netball industry, but offer some great balls that feature high specifications and attractive designs.
Size:
Size 4: Size 4 netballs are generally used by younger players, usually below the age of 10. These balls are also often used in training sessions and recreationally.
Size 5: Size 5 netballs are the official size and they are used in matches, training sessions and for recreational purposes.
Visibility:
For netball training sessions or matches held at night, some of the more hi visibility netballs such as the Mitre Attack in Yellow are more suitable. Brighter coloured balls are designed to be used in these conditions.
Indoor / Outdoor:
Some of the high specification netballs such as the Mitre Pursue and the Mitre Shooter are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, as a result of their durable exterior.
Match / Training / Recreational:
Match: High quality netballs such as the Mitre Pursue are designed to be used in matches, featuring performance bladders, enhanced grip and improved shape retention. Size 5 netballs with high specifications like the Pursue are also suitable for indoor and outdoor matches. One of our most popular balls is the Gilbert Spectra match netball.
Training: Training netballs are usually size 5 and offer slightly lower performance than match balls. The Mitre Intercept netball is a hugely popular training ball that features a performance latex bladder and excellent grip and control. Also very popular is the Gilbert Pulse training ball.
Recreational: Any netball could be used for recreational use, but some are more suitable than others. Some of the cheaper netballs such as the Gilbert APT netball is ideal for recreational use as they are affordable and aren't suitable for competitive netball.
Grip:
Netballs with a pimpled or emboss exterior offer enhanced grip, control and durability, and they're also more suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Weight:
A good, size 5 netball weighs between 400 and 450grams (14-16 ounces)
Price:
All netballs range on price, dependant on what you're looking to use them for and how high the specification needs to be. The Mitre Pursue and the Gilbert Flash are high specification match balls and retail for around £30, but there are cheaper options, such as the Mitre Shooter netball which is available for around £12.00. For training, the Mitre Attack netball is available for £7.99 on our website and other recreational balls are available for around £7.00
