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 Introduction
Primary school netball in the south of Birmingham is organised by the Kings Norton District Junior Netball Association. The Association has been going since at least the 1970s. In the early days it consisted of a group of seven junior schools around Kings Norton, and expanded as more schools sought to join. A big debate was held in the late 1970s which resulted in the league dividing into two sections. Depending on the number of schools participating, we now run seven or eight local sections with five or six schools in each section.
Kings Norton was one of maybe half a dozen Districts in Birmingham: Among the others were Aston, Harborne, Sutton, East and West. One by one the others disappeared, leaving now only Sutton and Kings Norton.
KN has grown steadily, until now it covers Birmingham 13, 14, 15, 17, 29, 30, 31, 32, 38 and 45. There are 94 junior schools on our books, of whom about half play in our League. The season consists of the Autumn and Spring Terms. During the season each school plays every other team in their section once at home and once away, i.e. four or five matches per term. Matches are four quarters of seven minutes. The League will tell schools in which week matches should be played; all other arrangements are up to the schools.
The league provides for one team per school. Some schools have "B" teams who play in friendly matches.
We also hold an annual Tournament usually in March at Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School, Bournville. Participation is limited to 12 schools on a first come, first served basis.
Responsibilities of participating schools:
- A firm commitment to play all matches.
- Matches may be played before the weeks stated, but please try to avoid playing them late.
- If a school refuses to play any match on time without good reason, 3 points will be awarded to the opposition. Claims must be made to the Chairman by the end of the relevant term.
- Autumn term results must be sent in before Christmas; Spring Term results to be sent in before Easter. Reminders will not be issued.
- Results will appear on the Web site and it will be very obvious if a school is not meeting its commitments. See league table.
- Schools not sending results in on time will not be awarded points and will not be eligible for awards.
- Subscriptions are due, in advance, in the September of each year and must be paid promptly.
- Schools that do not take all these commitments seriously will not be invited to play in future seasons.
Notes on play:
Arranging matches: Away teams should phone the home team to arrange the match. Matches may be played earlier by mutual consent if this helps to get them completed. Please play the full 7 minutes each quarter, as the score could affect your placing on goal difference in the league. We actively encourage the use of substitutes and changes of players' position at quarter times, but there is no requirement to do so. If a match is not played the side who cannot or will not play loses the points.
Playing Matches: Matches should be 4 quarters of 7 minutes, with a quick changeover at quarter and three-quarter time and no more than five minutes' break at half time. Teams are strongly encouraged to substitute and rotate players every quarter.
Equipment: Please ensure your players have bibs with clear lettering on both sides. It is very difficult to umpire otherwise. May I remind all schools that you should be using a size 4 ball. The net should be set at 10' (top hole) for league matches. For practices it is recommended that Year 4s shoot into an 8' net, Year 5s into a 9' net and Year 6s into a 10' net.
Scores: At the end of each match, please check and agree the scores with the other umpire, and record them accurately on a photocopy of your order of play sheet. I sometimes wonder whether the two umpires have been umpiring the same match: there is a difference in points allocated in a 5-3 win or a 4-4 draw! The results on the copy of the draw sheet should be posted to me when the term's matches are complete, and please make it clear which school you are when sending in your results. Please send results to the Chairman, Dianne Barber, 138 Oak Tree Lane, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 6HU or by e-mail.
Points: Three points are awarded for a win, two for a draw and one bonus point for losers scoring 50% or more of the winner's score. The league table is on the results page.
Safety: Jewellery: rings, watches and jewellery should not be worn during play. Any jewellery which is worn for religious reasons must be securely taped to the person. Finger nails should be cut short, so that they are not visible above the ends of the fingers viewed from the palm side.
Umpiring: When umpiring please take into account players' inexperience at the beginning of the season. Don't penalise minor, unintentional footwork faults at the beginning of the season, but let the game flow.
Umpires should be very strict on contact and obstruction, even accidental, and award a penalty. There is defending of the pass but not the shot. When a player is holding the ball there must be a distance of one metre on the ground between that player and an opponent's landing foot. Defenders of the ball may stand at the required distance with arms at shoulder height and jump once straight upwards (i.e. not encroaching on the one metre), or they may stand under the post with arms in the air for the rebound. Dropped ball is in the rules, but experience has shown that it is rare at league level, because it only applies when a player has control of the ball and then drops it.
We have had several complaints about schools turning up with no member of staff and no umpire. This may be all right if the other umpire is experienced and you have made prior arrangements. In any case someone should be prepared to blow the whistle for out of play on the far sideline.
Professionalism: I intend that as many as possible of the teams playing in the league have a teacher with an umpiring qualification. Whatever your level of experience, you must umpire both halves of the game evenly. It is a rule of the game that the Umpire's decision is final. The umpires must work as a team to ensure a fair game, with the better side winning. Undermining the other umpire in the presence of the players is unsportsmanlike and sets a very bad example to the players. Umpires have a duty to ensure that their spectators behave in a sporting manner and do not intimidate players.
Sportsmanship: Please be sporting, welcome visiting teams, give three cheers at the end and escort players to refreshments. Get your girls to evaluate their play and accept defeat if the other team was better or they themselves did not play well on the day. Discourage girls from getting cross with weaker team members. Help them to appreciate each other's strengths and weaknesses. Players who are abusive on court or unsporting can be warned and if they continue, send them off.
Queries: Please learn the rules and teach them to your girls. If you need clarification on any of the rules, do not hesitate to contact the League.
Dianne L Barber, Chairman.
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