Netball Essentials for Kids: What to Pack for Training & Game Day
Whether your child is starting netball for the first time or heading into another season, getting organised for training and game day can make life considerably easier.
From remembering the right shoes and water bottle to working out what all those netball positions mean, there can be quite a bit to learn - especially when you're new to the sport.
We've put together this simple guide to the netball essentials kids need for training and game day, plus some free printable resources to help keep everyone organised.
What Does a Junior Netball Player Need?
The exact requirements will vary between clubs and competitions, but there are a few essentials worth having ready for every training session and game.
1. Netball shoes
A supportive pair of sports shoes suitable for netball is one of the most important pieces of equipment.
Netball involves plenty of quick changes in direction, jumping and landing, so everyday casual sneakers aren't necessarily the best option. Your club or coach may be able to provide guidance if you're buying netball shoes for the first time.
2. Club uniform and bib
Game-day uniform requirements vary between clubs and associations, so check with your club before the season starts.
Depending on the competition, players may need a club dress, shirt, shorts or skirt, as well as particular socks or other uniform items.
Position bibs are generally supplied by the team or club, but it's always worth checking.
3. Water bottle
Netball players should have their own clearly labelled water bottle at both training and games.
A large reusable bottle is particularly handy on hot days — and putting your child's name on it can save you from trying to identify one bottle among a dozen identical ones at the end of training!
4. Hair ties and hair accessories
Long hair needs to be kept securely out of the way while playing.
Keep a few spare hair ties in the netball bag so a broken or missing elastic doesn't become a last-minute problem.
Many players also like to match their hair accessories to their club colours. Depending on your club and competition rules, this could include hair ties, ribbons, scrunchies or other secure accessories.
Former Adelaide Thunderbirds player and two-time premiership winner Emily Beaton wearing a School Ponytails scrunchie.
We've been creating colour-matched hair accessories for netball players and sporting clubs for years, including previously working with Emily Beaton.
→ Shop Sports & Team Hair Accessories
5. Sun protection
For outdoor netball, remember sunscreen and other sun protection appropriate for the conditions.
A sunscreen or zinc product that's easy to keep in the sports bag makes it much harder to forget before a game.
6. Socks - and a spare pair
Comfortable sports socks are another game-day essential - and a spare pair takes up almost no room in the bag.
They can be particularly useful after wet training sessions or on tournament days with multiple games.
7. A towel
A small towel is useful for wet courts, hot weather, sweaty faces and muddy legs.
It doesn't need to be anything fancy. Keep one permanently in the netball bag and wash or replace it as needed.
What to Pack in a Netball Bag
Once you've gathered everything, having a dedicated netball bag makes game days much easier.
A basic junior netball bag might include:
- Netball shoes
- Uniform
- Water bottle
- Spare hair ties
- Sunscreen or zinc
- Sports socks and a spare pair
- Small towel
- Any personal medication or other items your child requires
- Weather-appropriate extras
For cold or wet weather, you might also add a jacket, warm clothes for before and after the game, and something waterproof.
For hot weather, extra water and sun protection become even more important.
Free Printable Netball Game Day Checklist
We've created a simple printable checklist to help kids and parents make sure the netball bag is ready to go.
Tip: Print it, laminate it (or pop it in a plastic sleeve) and keep it near the netball bag so your child can gradually take responsibility for packing their own gear.
Free Netball Printable Pack
We've created a free 7-page junior netball printable pack, including a Game Day Checklist, Netball Court & Positions Guide, game journal and season activities.
→ Download the Free Netball Printable Pack
Understanding Netball Positions
If your child is new to netball, the position abbreviations can initially look like another language:
GS — Goal Shooter
GA — Goal Attack
WA — Wing Attack
C — Centre
WD — Wing Defence
GD — Goal Defence
GK — Goal Keeper
Unlike many other sports, netball players can't simply move anywhere on the court. Each position is allowed into particular areas, which is why learning the court markings is so important.
Free Netball Court & Positions Guide
Our printable court guide makes it easier for new players to see where each position can go.
→ Get the Free Netball Printable Pack
Helping Kids Get Ready for Netball
The first few weeks of a new sport can involve a lot of reminders!
One of the easiest ways to make game day less stressful is to prepare as much as possible the night before. Put the uniform out, fill the netball bag and check the game time and location before you go to bed.
As kids get older, encourage them to use the checklist and pack their own bag.
You may still want to give it a quick check - particularly for the mysteriously disappearing water bottle - but eventually getting themselves organised becomes part of playing the sport.
Keep Track of the Netball Season
For kids who love keeping track of their games, we've also created a Netball Journal.
Players can use it throughout the season to record things such as games played, positions, goals and memorable moments.
→ Get the Free Netball Printable Pack
Netball Hair Accessories & Team Colours
Once the practical essentials are sorted, there's always room for a little team spirit.
At School Ponytails, we stock hair accessories and sports-day products in a huge range of colours, making it easy to find combinations to match netball club and school team colours.
→ Shop Hair Accessories by Colour
If you can't find the exact combination you need, many of our popular products can also be made in custom colour combinations.
→ Create a Custom Colour Combination
Fundraising for Your Netball Club
If you're involved with a netball club, School Ponytails also offers fundraising options designed for schools and grassroots sporting clubs.
Rather than asking families to buy something they don't need, participating clubs can raise funds when supporters purchase eligible products they were already looking for.
→ Find out about fundraising for sporting clubs
Originally published 2019. Updated October 2026.
