The Netball Physicality Debate

The past 2 rounds of the ANZ Championship has re-ignited the physicality debate among netball followers and it has certainly sparked a divide between the New Zealand and Australian teams.

Norma Plummer, Irene Van Dyk and Robyn Broughton have all been outspoken in their opinions regarding the current level of physicality evident in the game, as well as the differing interpretations by the games umpires from NZ and Australia.

It has been a topic that has been widely discussed for years, but after Irene's comments following the defeat to the hands of the West Coast Fever it has re ignited the debate. Throughout Irene’s career long and illustrious career she has never spoken out against the physicality of her opposition defenders like she did on Sunday afternoon following there loss to the Fever.

In her post match interview she said “I have been playing netball for a very long time, and I can honeslty say I have never come across a defensive pair that are as physical and get away with murder”. As many netball followers will know it takes a lot for Irene to make such public comments regarding the physicality and it certainly has made me think about if the game is getting to physical.

From the statistics point of view both the Magic and Fever incurred a similar number of penalties, 65 for the Fever and 64 for the Magic, which shows an even contest. However footage does suggest that perhaps the differing interpretations by New Zealand and Australian umpires needs to be addressed, in this case the game was umpired by 2 Australians. Possibly one umpire from each country per game, where possible will help to the game.

Eboni Beckford-Chambers and Jose Janz well and truly did their job restricting Irene to only 19 atempts for the match, which would be close to one of the lowest in her career. From my point of view however its not sending the best message to our youngsters regarding the physicality level and it would be a shame if the sort of defence seen in the match being replicated at the younger levels.

I agree with Irene’s comments of “"Normally it is in the spirit of the game and if a defender takes you out it is because they are clearly going for the ball, they are honestly hungry for the ball, and you are going [too]," she said.

"So you knock one another and it's simultaneous and sometimes one ends up on the ground. But I felt, yesterday [Sunday] that it was body checking instead of contesting”. 

Norma Plummer coach of the West Coast Fever threw in her 2 cents mid week slating Irene's comments, "I just thought that was a frustrated player, We took away all her best moves and she had nowhere to go". 

Over the years Netball has become more physical but it is the nature of the physicality that perhaps needs to be looked at closer going forward. Although there has only been a handful of situations that warranted the scrutiny over the physical intentions, it may be something that needs to be looked at if the game continues down this current path. Do we need to put in place consequences for intentional foul play?

The fire has been lit, the sides have been picked and now a closer eye will be on the physicality of our great game as the 2013 season continues.

What do you all think?