It’s safe to say that the performance of the English Roses in recent netballing competitions has elevated the sport in the minds of the public in the UK.
We love seeing so many people taking an interest in netball and all it can offer them, either by following the league and national competitions or by joining in with Reigate netball classes.
But now there’s a new version of netball coming to the UK. Later this month, Red Bull will bring its Red Bull Switch Up event to Manchester. This is an opportunity for small teams to compete against one another in a very different format to traditional netball.
GiveMeSport explained that the matches are played on just half a court, with only one goal. There are four players per team and everyone is allowed to shoot. The format also introduces new set positions, and two scoring zones: one within the D and one outside. If you score within the D, you earn one point, but scoring from outside the D earns you three points.
Tamsin Greenway, ex-England netballer, commented: “After a massive year for netball it’s great to see tournaments such as Red Bull Switch Up continuing that hype and passion for the sport here in the UK.”
The tournament will take place at EventCity in Manchester on 23 November, when all-women teams will battle it out to be crowned champions. This is the fourth year that Red Bull has run the event.
Red Bull’s tournament is far from the only high-profile netball competition to look forward to in the UK. In January, England will host the inaugural Vitality Netball Champions Cup in Nottingham.