Netball was first played in England in 1895 at Madame Ostenburg's College and quickly spread to all the British Commonwealth territories, but it did not yet have hard-and-fast rules. So loose were the regulations, in fact, that some games were played by nine players in each team, while some were played with only five players in each. The nets used were also ineffective - they were not open at both ends, so after each goal was scored, the umpire to retrieve the ball from the top of the post.
Finally, Clara Baer, a gym teacher from New Orleans, asked Naismith for a copy of the Basketball rules, identified the areas within which women players can move, and consequently introduced the 'zoning areas' we know today. This was the start of netball's formalization. This zoning rules along with many other provisions (such as elimination of the dribbling rule) were all included in the first draft of 'Rules for Women's Basketball.' In 1901, this set of rules was ratified and netball officially became a competitive sport.
Now, netball is played by both men and women. In fact, mixed teams are becoming acceptable, because the fundamentals of the game allow men and women to compete with each other on fair terms. The limits set by netball rules on defence prevent men from gaining an advantage, in spite of their superior strength and size.
Now netball is played in over 70 countries.
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