Starting Netball for kids aged 5 to 9

Saturday mornings at Narellan Sports Hub are a wild sight, smiling netballers everywhere! For our youngest players — aged five to nine — this is where their netball journey begins. It’s the perfect age to get started: kids are developing their coordination, confidence and social skills, and netball brings all of that together in a fun, supportive environment.

At this age, the focus isn’t on winning games — it’s on learning the foundations and preparing them (the competition comes later). Our players discover how to move with purpose: running, stopping, pivoting and landing safely. They learn how to pass and catch with control, listen to instructions, work as a team and, most importantly, communicate — both on and off the court. The little moments build skills that stay with them long after the game ends.

Netball also helps kids develop a sense of belonging. Every week they come back knowing they’re part of something — a team that celebrates effort, not just results. We see shy children find their voices, energetic ones learn focus, and everyone learns how to cheer for their friends.

If you're thinking about starting your child in netball, the key is finding the right club. You want an environment that’s welcoming, well-organised, and focused on fun and growth rather than pressure or performance. That’s something we take seriously at Narellan Netball Club. Our delivery of the programs for 5–9-year-olds are designed to make learning easy and enjoyable, with coaches who understand this age group and junior mentors who make every session a little better.

Our junior mentors — older Narellan players who volunteer their time (we're unbelievably proud!) — are a huge part of what makes this special, as the younger kids look up to them. They’re helping tie shoelaces, demonstrating drills, and showing interest in them. For many kids, that mentor is one reason they fall in love with the game.

As the kids get closer to the upper end of the 8–9 age group, they start to experience a little more structure. This is the stage where competition is introduced at just the right time. We believe that balancing fun and competition is key. Kids play their best, learn the most, and stay in the sport longer when they still feel joy in the game but also start to experience the excitement of being part of a team working together.

It’s never about pushing them — it’s about preparing them. Giving them the confidence to try, the resilience to keep going, and the pride that follows.