What is the Netball Academy?
A 12-module global pathway using current World Netball rules as the sport reference, covering base, surface, posts, run-off, lighting, containment, spectators, shared use and lifecycle planning.
SPORT + ACADEMY
Netball Academy
Plan the court, posts and support zones as one complete netball environment.
A 12-module global pathway using current World Netball rules as the sport reference, covering base, surface, posts, run-off, lighting, containment, spectators, shared use and lifecycle planning.
SELF-GUIDED12 MODULES
WHO IT IS FORSchools · Clubs · Councils · Communities · Universities · Resorts · International projects
FORMATRead · Check · Apply
OUTCOMEA clearer project brief
Planning resource · Reviewed September 2026 · Final technical design and local compliance remain project-specific
How to use the Academy
Work through the decisions in order, then go deeper where the project needs it.
Each module gives you a planning outcome and a short set of questions to resolve. The linked guide provides the deeper technical context. You can follow the complete sequence or jump directly to the decision you are working on.
SPORT + ACADEMY is a practical education and planning resource. It is not a formal qualification, accreditation or professional-design substitute.
Direct answers
Understand the pathway before you start.
These short answers define the scope of the Academy and make the planning intent clear before you move into the modules.
Who is this Academy for?
This self-guided planning pathway is intended for Schools · Clubs · Councils · Communities · Universities · Resorts · International projects. It is designed to support early project understanding before detailed product specification or local professional design.
What does the Academy cover?
The pathway contains 12 modules covering confirm the current world netball court reference, define users, teams and operating model, check the base and drainage, choose the netball surface pathway, plan posts and goal-circle interfaces, protect run-off and player movement and the final project brief.
Is SPORT + ACADEMY a formal qualification or accreditation?
No. SPORT + ACADEMY is a practical education and planning resource. It does not provide formal accreditation and does not replace project-specific professional, engineering, safety or statutory advice.
PLANNING BOARD 15
Netball court + support zones
Playing geometry, posts, run-off, benches, lighting, containment, access and shared-use markings should be coordinated before surfacing.Conceptual planning diagram · not a construction drawingLearning pathway
12 decisions that shape the facility.
Resolve the early project questions before detailed product specification. That reduces rework and makes later supplier, consultant and project-team conversations more useful.
01
MODULE 01
Confirm the current World Netball court reference
What you need to decideStart with the current playing geometry, thirds, goal circles and post locations for the intended level of play.
Information to collect
School, club, community or competition venue?
Which current World Netball or national requirements apply?
What complete site area is available?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
Module 1 of 12Next
02
MODULE 02
Define users, teams and operating model
What you need to decidePlan the court around training, games, school use, tournaments, community access and peak occupancy.
Information to collect
How many teams use the facility?
Is the court shared?
What operating hours apply?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
03
MODULE 03
Check the base and drainage
What you need to decideReview cracking, levels, ponding, moisture and edge conditions before the sports surface is selected.
Information to collect
Concrete, asphalt or another base?
Does water drain away correctly?
Are repairs needed first?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
04
MODULE 04
Choose the netball surface pathway
What you need to decideMatch traction, cushioning, ball response, outdoor exposure, repair and maintenance to the user group and base.
Information to collect
Indoor or outdoor?
Dedicated or shared-use court?
Who will maintain the surface?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
05
MODULE 05
Plan posts and goal-circle interfaces
What you need to decideCoordinate post type, foundations or sockets, padding, goal circles and safe access before final surfacing.
Information to collect
Fixed, socketed or portable posts?
What support or footing is required?
How are posts stored if removed?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
06
MODULE 06
Protect run-off and player movement
What you need to decideKeep fencing, benches, gates, spectators and equipment outside the active movement envelope.
Information to collect
What run-off is required locally?
Where do teams enter?
Do gates or benches conflict with player movement?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
07
MODULE 07
Plan lighting around the whole court
What you need to decideCoordinate poles, aiming, glare and operating hours around post positions, run-off and nearby uses.
Information to collect
Training or competition lighting?
Are there nearby homes or roads?
Can poles be kept clear of player movement?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
08
MODULE 08
Plan fencing and ball containment
What you need to decideUse containment, gates and internal separation to support the site without creating impact hazards.
Information to collect
Is full perimeter fencing needed?
Where should gates sit?
Is the court beside roads or other sports?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
09
MODULE 09
Plan team, official and spectator zones
What you need to decideCoordinate benches, score operation, waiting, spectators and accessible viewing around the court.
Information to collect
How many spectators are expected?
Where do substitutes and officials sit?
Is shade or covered waiting required?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
10
MODULE 10
Plan shared use with basketball and school sport
What you need to decideControl line hierarchy and removable equipment when netball shares with basketball, futsal, tennis or school recreation.
Information to collect
Which sport is primary?
Can posts and hoops coexist safely?
What line colours avoid confusion?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
11
MODULE 11
Plan maintenance and future resurfacing
What you need to decideBuild cleaning, coating renewal, line remarking, post inspection and repairs into the facility lifecycle.
Information to collect
Who owns maintenance?
How will surface repairs be handled?
Can future resurfacing retain shared-use flexibility?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
12
MODULE 12
Build the netball project brief
What you need to decideBring rules reference, base, surface, posts, lighting, containment, spectators and destination responsibilities into one package.
Information to collect
Are dimensions and site conditions documented?
Is the intended standard clear?
What local civil, electrical and approval work remains?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
SPORT + TOOLS
Apply what you have learned.
Use the planning tools when you are ready to translate the Academy modules into dimensions, comparisons and a structured project brief.
01
Netball Systems
Move into Apollo's global netball supply pathway across surfaces, lighting, containment, seating and project-specific post systems.
Open tool 02Netball Planning Guide
Review court, run-off, post and facility planning decisions.
Open tool 03Sports Flooring Selector
Compare outdoor, indoor and shared-use surface pathways.
Open tool 04Sports Project Brief Builder
Build the complete netball facility review package.
Open toolSPORT + KNOWLEDGE
Continue learning
Planning a school court shared with basketball or futsal?
Build a Multi-Sport School will help identify which sports can share surfaces, markings, lighting and supporting infrastructure.
Build a Multi-Sport School