Ifna discuss new rules

29/07/1997

THE International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) council
meeting in Barbados on July 7-11 discussed amendments to the rules to be
implemented during the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Malaysian Netball Association (MNA) president Norminshah Sabirin, who
attended the council meeting, said: "Many interesting proposals were
raised but IFNA have yet to finalise the details.
"Once we receive the changes, we can start preparing for the '98 Games."
Australia proposed to split the game into two halves of 30 minutes each
with a five-minute break. The present format is of four quarters, 15
minutes each.
England are keen to change team positions. They also proposed to change
the playing area for players to allow greater freedom of movement.
Cayman Islands favour the introduction of a new shooting zone, with two
points being scored for a goal netted from these new areas. The new zones
would either be square or semi-circle drawn in the centre third or in both
goal thirds.
Australia also want to see changes done on the playing court. For
international matches held indoors, Australia proposed to have a sprung
wooden floor with goalposts inserted into the ground or sleeved beneath
the floor.
New rules pertaining to warnings, suspensions and ordering off were also
discussed.
"As netball moves into the 21st century, it must be more spectator
friendly and easier to watch, and the proposed amendments will do just
that," said Norminshah.
However, international rules board convenor Maureen Boyle cautioned:
"The present rules are sound, don't be misled into believing that changing
the rules will improve or guarantee an improvement in umpiring standard.
"Perhaps our best solution will be found in educating the umpires and
implementing training programmes. I urge you (the council members) to
encourage this to happen.
"The final of the 1991 World Championships proved that the skill level
and athleticism of those players provided an exciting spectacle, not a
change in the rules."
Delegates from 20 countries took part in the meet to make netball more
spectator friendly, with less whistle and less interruptions.
(END)