Netball Makes its Debut in Chinese Primary Schools: A New Era for the Sport in China?

Basketball is China’s most popular sport, yet its variant, netball, has never taken off and has no discernible presence in the country. As a female-focused game with less physical contact it is an ideal introduction to team sport for primary-school girls. And on this basis we ran a 10-day netball training camp for Chinese PE teachers and students in the seaside city of Qinhuangdao. Although extensive flooding and other travel issues prevented some Hebei schools from attending.  Thankfully those who did quickly realised this is an exciting sport.

The course, led by Julie Kimber, an experienced England Netball coach, transformed teachers and students from netball novices to primary school-level players in just 10 days.
Julie commented ‘netball has a very strong appeal to girls. One young girl was reluctant to attend as she didn’t like sports, but after a couple of days she insisted on playing every session even though she had blisters on her feet!’

HBISP hopes that the interest in primary school netball can be sustained and plan a follow-up course next year. Our thanks go to Qinhuangdao No.1 High School for the use of their facilities.