NetballExplained

What Equipment Do You Need for Netball?

The equipment you actually need to start playing netball: ball, footwear, clothing, and what's optional versus essential.

Written by Claire McDonald · Last updated

To play netball you need a size 5 netball (size 4 for most juniors), non-marking court shoes, and comfortable sportswear — bibs, a post and a marked court are usually provided by the club or venue.

Netball has a low equipment barrier compared with many team sports — you can start playing with very little of your own kit.

The essentials

  • A netball — size 5 for adults and most teenagers, size 4 for most younger juniors. See what size is a netball? for exact sizing by age group.
  • Court shoes — a non-marking sole is usually required indoors, and good lateral support matters because netball involves a lot of sudden stopping, landing and changing direction. Dedicated netball or court shoes are worth it once you're playing regularly; a general trainer with a flat, non-marking sole is fine to start.
  • Comfortable, close-fitting sportswear — a t-shirt or vest and shorts or a skort. The rules don't allow anything that could endanger you or other players, so avoid anything that could catch a finger or the ball.

What the rules require players to wear

For matches, the World Netball rules say players must wear (Rules 3.9 and 3.12):

  • a registered playing uniform with their name or team number;
  • their position initials, 150mm high, clearly visible above the waist on the front and back — usually on a bib;
  • suitable sports footwear that isn't spiked.

And they may not wear:

  • body piercings, including earrings, or anything else that could endanger themselves or others — other adornments must be securely taped or padded;
  • long nails — fingernails must be short and smooth;
  • loose hair — it must be tied back and free of any adornment.

Umpires check these before the match starts.

What the club or venue usually provides

  • Bibs showing your position (GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD, GK) — they show everyone, including the umpires, which areas of the court each player may enter.
  • The court and goalposts.
  • Match balls for games, though many players still bring their own for training.

Optional extras

  • A mouthguard — not required by the World Netball rules, but some leagues and programmes recommend or require one, so check yours.
  • Strapping or a knee/ankle support, if recommended by a physiotherapist for a specific issue — not something to self-prescribe.
  • A tracksuit or warm layer for outdoor courts and pre-match warm-ups.

What you don't need

You don't need shin pads, a helmet, gloves, or any padded protective equipment — netball is a non-contact sport and doesn't require it.

Buying your first netball

If you're choosing a ball for practising at home as well as club sessions, see what size is a netball? to make sure you get the right size for the player's age and the level they're playing at.

Sources

All information on this page is given to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing (October 2026), after referring to the official sources below.