Netball has never been more popular. Unsurprisingly, in response to demand, there’s an increasing number of opportunities to play the game and experience the thrill of competition – both inside and outside of England Netball’s governance and its sphere of influence. But this poses a question. As a member of England Netball, how do you know which opportunities are registered to England Netball – inside this sphere of influence – and which ones are not, so that you can make an informed choice about your participation as a player, coach, or official to ensure you remain protected by England Netball’s centrally arranged programme of insurance?
Netball clubs and leagues that are registered with England Netball are powered by a team of incredible volunteers who work together with England Netball, as the National Governing Body (NGB), to create extraordinary netball experiences for over a hundred thousand women and girls. Led by the NGB’s guidance and equipped with policies and procedures, they work as one to protect and grow the sport.
By joining a registered netball club and playing in a registered netball league, you become part of a membership that is over a hundred thousand strong – a netball family that spans the length and breadth of England and extends across every level of the game, from grassroots play to the heights of international contest. In some instances, this includes unlocking new levels of competition, such as representing your club at a county, regional, and national level, with the chance for talented players to be selected for the Player Pathway or for junior members to walk out on the international stage as mascots to their idols. By being part of it, you are making your mark, serving, and protecting the sport that you love, whilst creating friendships that could last a lifetime.
In return, the sport is committed to serving and protecting you; not only do members unlock a range of benefits exclusive to them, but they are also covered by England Netball’s centrally arranged programme of insurance for personal accident, and in defence of personal injury allegations* during their participation in registered netball activity.
It’s important to stress that England Netball is not able to extend its programme of insurance to cover members during their participation in unregistered club and league activity – in other words, activity that falls outside of England Netball’s sphere of influence. Therefore, in the case of unregistered activity, we encourage participants to check that safeguarding measures are in place, that the activity is delivered in a safe environment with adequate supervision (including qualified coaches and umpires**), and that there is comprehensive insurance to cover members against injury and liability should they choose to take part as a player, coach, or official.
If your netball club, league, or other netball experience would like to register with England Netball, please contact England Netball’s customer experience team here.
*Subject to the terms, conditions, provisions, and exceptions of the policy.
**Personal Members that have completed the officiating pathway and have successfully passed their practical assessment are deemed fully qualified umpires and are covered by England Netball’s programme of insurance to officiate registered netball activity. Personal Members that have enrolled onto and are working towards an England Netball or Europe Netball Umpiring Award, are considered “in training” and are covered by England Netball’s centrally arranged programme of insurance to officiate registered netball activity as long as they are supported on court by a fully qualified co-umpire. However, please note: In the case where two “in training” Into Officiating umpires are umpiring the same match, a third fully qualified individual (be that a qualified umpire or a qualified Assessor, Mentor or Tutor) should be present to support and oversee the two trainee umpires. Individuals must have attended an approved course and be within two years of the start date or have a valid written assessment and be within two years of the pass mark or be awaiting a practical assessment.