Terms and conditions

Play fair. Play safe. Have fun.

Please read our league rules and conditions before participating. These guidelines help us keep matches safe, fair and enjoyable for everyone.

Arriving & Starting Matches

1) Teams must arrive at the venue at least 10 minutes before their match starts.

2) Matches must start on time. Warming up, putting on gloves where necessary, removing or taping jewellery and putting on bibs must be completed before the scheduled start.

3) A minimum of five players must be on court for a match to be played.

Guest Players & Flexi-Squad

4a) Guest players must play outside their regular position. For example, a regular GS cannot play GS or GA when guesting for another team.

4b) The umpire may accept or refuse guest players if they believe the match outcome would be considerably altered.

4c) Guest players may only be used to complete the basic squad of seven and cannot be used as substitutes.

4d) Teams using guest players must still pay their full match fee.

4e) The team captain is responsible for any fines incurred by a guest player.

Injuries & Health and Safety

6) Injury time is not permitted due to venue time restrictions. Injured players must be substituted immediately. If no substitute is available, the team may rearrange players already on court. The opposing team cannot substitute but may rearrange its existing players. For serious injuries preventing a player from leaving the court, the umpires will submit a report and Youplaynetball will decide whether remaining time is played later. That decision is final.

7) Participants acknowledge that netball is a contact sport involving risks.

7a) Team captains are responsible for ensuring the venue surface and playing conditions are safe before starting a game.

7b) Captains must inspect the court and report any issues to officials before the match starts.

7c) The entry form contains an indemnity relating to personal injury and lost property. Teams are responsible for arranging personal injury insurance where venue cover is not automatically applicable.

8) Substitutions may only be made during a break or because of injury.

9) Late players may only enter after either team has scored a goal.

Umpires & Match Conduct

10) The umpire nominates one Player of the Match per game. Nominations are recorded in the system, and the player receiving the most nominations receives an end-of-season award.

11) Team captains should approach umpires with queries at half-time or after the game, never during play.

12) Where applicable, the umpire's scoring takes precedence over the scoreboard.

13) Teams must not alter or move equipment to gain an advantage.

Match Fees & Withdrawals

14) A team failing to attend a scheduled fixture loses 5–0 and is charged the full match fee. Teams withdrawing must provide 14 days' notice and play and pay for the following two full matches. Failure to do so results in the captain being charged the two missed match fees.

14a) Where league vacancies exist, a friendly fixture will be arranged for teams scheduled for a Points Match. Teams must attend, play and pay as normal to receive the 5–0 win and five league points.

14b) Teams declining a scheduled friendly must notify their office contact at least seven days beforehand to avoid the match fee. Teams failing to attend a Points Match will not receive the 5–0 win, even with seven days' notice.

14c) Captains are responsible for the conduct of their players and spectators and for resulting fines.

15) Matches must be paid for in full at least 24 hours before the weekly fixture.

15a) Teams are automatically entered into the next season unless two weeks' withdrawal notice is given before the current season ends. Late withdrawal requires playing the first two fixtures of the new season or paying the corresponding fees. Teams must return their bibs to the umpires after their final match.

Cancellation Procedure

Teams must give head office at least seven days' notice by telephone or email to avoid being charged the full fee for a cancelled game.

Cancellations within seven days incur the full match fee. Teams must still contact head office so a match can be arranged for the opposition. The opposition is expected to attend, play and pay, and will receive a 5–0 win and two points.

What Does Your Match Fee Cover?

16a) Match fees contribute towards hiring the court, allowing members to participate in organised netball.

Fees cover court hire, umpires and essential match balls. Paying confirms a commitment to league participation and membership, with members having exclusive use of the hired court during the booking.

Bibs are provided free to teams in the second week of the season. Replacement sets for lost bibs cost £35 per team .

Free Passes & Penalty Passes

21) A free pass is taken from the location where the infringement occurred.

21a) A penalty pass is taken from the same spot. The offending player must stand beside and away from the player taking the pass and remain out of play until the ball is released.

21b) Players cannot enter areas of the court outside those permitted for their position. Doing so results in a free pass to the opposition.

Centre Passes

22) The first centre pass is decided by a coin toss or an alternative method.

22a) Centre passes are used after each half begins and after goals are scored.

22b) The centre pass must be caught inside the centre third.

22c) Footwork rules apply within the centre circle.

Obstruction & Contact

23) Players may only attempt to win back the ball while it is in the air.

23a) Contact with another player results in a penalty pass to the opposition.

23b) Defenders must remain three feet (approximately one metre) away from the player holding the ball, measured from the grounded foot of the passer to the nearest foot of the defender.

23c) Obstruction results in a penalty pass to the opposing team.

Three Seconds, Throwing & Catching

24) Players must pass the ball within three seconds of catching it.

25) The ball must be thrown from a standing position, not while kneeling or lying on the court.

25a) The ball cannot be thrown over an entire third of the court without being handled. A free pass is awarded from the second transverse line.

26) Players cannot catch, drop and then catch the ball again. A free pass is awarded to the opposition.

Footwork

27) When catching the ball and landing on one foot, that landing foot may only be used to pivot. Players may step with the other foot. If the landing foot is lifted, the ball must be released before that foot touches the ground again.

27a) When landing on both feet simultaneously, a player may step in any direction with either foot. The chosen pivot foot becomes the landing foot and cannot be re-grounded after being lifted until the ball has been released.

Shooting & Toss Ups

28) Only Goal Shooter (GS) and Goal Attack (GA) may score, and they must be fully inside the goal circle.

28a) Goals cannot be attempted directly from a free pass.

28b) Goals may be attempted from a penalty pass taken inside the circle.

28c) A player cannot shoot after catching a rebound from a shot that has not touched the goalpost or another player.

29) Simultaneous contact for the ball results in an umpire-controlled toss up.

29a) Players involved in a toss up must keep their arms by their sides until the umpire releases the ball.

30) Leaning against goalposts results in a free pass to the opposition.

Team & Equipment Requirements

31) Teams consist of seven positions: GK, GD, WD, C, WA, GA and GS.

32) Dangerous equipment and jewellery are prohibited. Medical bracelets are permitted if securely taped down.

33) Nails must be short. Umpires may refuse participation if nails are unsafe. Gloves may be worn for protection.

34) Players more than 12 weeks pregnant may not participate. Players less than 12 weeks pregnant must have a doctor's approval. Youplaynetball states it is not liable for injuries caused.

35) Bibs and balls will be provided where necessary.

36) Appropriate indoor trainers and sports clothing must be worn.

37) Two qualified umpires control each match. Their decisions are final.

Disciplinary Action

38) Umpires deal with infringements and misconduct, and their decisions are final. Dissent or misconduct may result in a player being sin-binned. The umpire determines the duration, which excludes half-time. Players may return at the next centre pass after the period ends, when instructed by the umpire. If the Centre is sin-binned, another player already on court may temporarily take that position. Original positions must be restored when the player returns.

39) Serious misconduct may lead to individual or team exclusion from the league.

40) You Play Netball reserves the right to ban or expel players or teams that do not conform to company values.

41) Players may only represent one team per season unless permission is granted.

42) All players must be at least 18 years old.

43) Captains are responsible for outstanding team fees and fines.

Scoring System

Promotion & Relegation

44) The top two teams in each division are promoted, and the bottom two teams are relegated. Changes take effect in the following season, beginning the next week.

Website Terms of Use

45) Website content is provided for general information and may change without notice.

No warranty or guarantee is provided regarding the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of website information. Errors or inaccuracies may exist, and liability is excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Use of website information is at the visitor's own risk. Visitors are responsible for checking that products, services and information meet their requirements.

Website design, layout, appearance, graphics and other materials are owned by or licensed to the operator. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited.

Third-party trademarks are acknowledged. Unauthorised website use may result in claims for damages or criminal proceedings.

External links are provided for convenience. You Play Netball does not control or endorse the content or availability of linked websites.

Links to this website from other websites or documents require prior written consent.

Website use and related disputes are subject to the laws of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, as stated in the terms.

You Play Netball makes no representations or warranties about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability of website content and excludes liability for loss or damage, including loss of data or profits, to the extent stated in its terms.

The organisation is not responsible for temporary website unavailability caused by technical issues beyond its control.

Photography, Privacy & Eligibility

By playing in the league, participants grant Youplaynetball rights to use photographs and video footage, including reproductions or adaptations, for fundraising, publicity and other activities supporting the organisation's aims. This may include printed materials, websites, social media, press releases and funding applications.

By accepting the Terms and Conditions, participants also agree to the Privacy Policy.

By entering the league, participants confirm that they are over 18 years old.

Complaints Procedure

We aim to provide a positive experience for thousands of players across the UK. If something goes wrong, we want to hear about it.

All complaints and feedback are reviewed. We aim to resolve concerns during the initial discussion wherever possible.

If you remain dissatisfied, the responsible manager will provide their full name and position.

Formal written complaints can be sent to:

Written complaints will receive an individual response within 14 days. We aim to treat everyone with fairness, respect and courtesy.

A friendly league for everyone

Respect your teammates, opponents and umpires. Follow the rules, play safely and help us make every match enjoyable.