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1900 - 1930
1906
Rev J C Jamieson arrives in Auckland and starts up Basketball teams from his Bible classes.
The first games of basketball were played on a paddock and the teams were nine-a-side. The rules allowed three bounces, and throws from one end of the field to the other. Baskets were used for goals and after each goal, the ball had to be tipped out to restart play.
1906-07
First teams – ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams at St Luke’s Presbyterian Church, Remuera, Auckland.
1914
With the support of school teachers, the game grew steadily, although different sets of rules were played in different Netball Centres.
1923
The first official representative match was staged in Wellington and featured Wellington and Canterbury. Wellington won 24-10.
1924
Establishment of the New Zealand Basketball Association including election of officers, venue of annual meetings, colours of national team (black with Silver Fern), voting power and affiliation fees.
1926
The first New Zealand tournament was played in April, in Dunedin with teams representing Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, North Otago and Southland. Auckland won the New Zealand Cup with Wellington second.
1927
Hawke's Bay and Ashburton become affiliated to the New Zealand Basketball Association (NZBA).
1928
Annual Council meeting agrees that fees are payable according to the number of teams per association. Taranaki and Poverty Bay become affiliated.
1929
The National Tournament is played in Christchurch on grass courts. It's decided that Presidents of affiliated Associations become vice-presidents of the NZBA.
1930 - 1960
1932
Fifteen affiliated Associations with a total of 742 teams were now established. It is decided to divide the National Tournament into two grades, with the first six affiliated associations forming the First Grade.
1935
New Zealand Basketball Referees' Association formed.
1938
The first New Zealand team is named. The team tours Australia with Margaret (Meg) Matangi named the first captain of a New Zealand netball team.
Player uniforms consist of a woollen gym frock, white long sleeved shirts and a tie complete with woollen leggings and sandshoes.
- All official games were played under Australian rules (seven-a-side instead of nine). New Zealand wins half of their official games, and finds it easy to win the unofficial nine-a-side matches. All but two of the games were played on grass courts.
During the visit, Australian and New Zealand officials met and agreed to draw up basic rules of the game. If the two countries held different views on certain rules, then reference would be made to the English rules. A rule book was made, so that New Zealand and Australia would play under the same rules. New Zealand played seven-a-side for international games, but continued with nine-a-side for domestic games - the only country to play the larger size team.
“The New Zealanders are slim, agile girls who have amazed critics with their ability to mark the ball in the same spectacular style as league footballers. Their method of passing and shooting for goal with two hands is new to Australia and there is much to be said in favour of this style of play."
– Australian newspaper report
1940
Annual Conference and visits from Australia and England teams were cancelled due to World War II. No councils were held between 1942 and 1944.
1948
New Zealand hosts the first overseas visiting team. Various New Zealand team members played against Australia with different captains taking the court in seven-a-side matches.
Australia won all three tests against New Zealand in 1948: 27-16, 44-13 and 44-22, all nine matches played against provincial teams, and a match against a representative Maori team. However, in an unofficial nine-a-side game, a combined Ashburton-Temuka-South Canterbury side beat Australia by 29-21, Australia’s only loss during their visit.
1951
Affiliated Associations’ boundaries confirmed.
1954
A team from the minor Associations tours Fiji.
1957
First visit to New Zealand by a team from Fiji, which visits 18 Associations and plays six games at the New Zealand Tournament.
Meeting held in England to discuss the establishment of an International body. From this meeting a set of Playing Rules is drawn up and all countries in attendance are asked to try them out.
1958
New Zealand is represented at the International Conference held in Ceylon to form a Federation of Basketball and Netball Associations. A Constitution is drawn up and Rules of Play are agreed.
- New Zealand visits Australia and plays matches under the Trial Rules.
- The New Zealand Badge, the highest award for refereeing is won for the first time by Miss Betty Stone, of Canterbury, and Mrs G Hall, of Wellington.
1960-1990
1960
June Waititi (Mariu) is named New Zealand team captain.
1961
International Rules are adopted, Rule Books are printed and Coaching Schools are held to prepare for the 1961 season.
1963
The First World Tournament is held in England with 11 participating countries. Australia beats New Zealand 37-36 to become the first International Tournament champions. Pam Edmonds (Barham) is the New Zealand captain.
1965
There are 4123 Netball teams in New Zealand.
- North Shore is granted affiliation to become an Association.
- First National Coaching School held and an official New Zealand Coaching book printed.
1966
Australia tours New Zealand, recording eight wins and two loses but no tests are played.
1967
New Zealand team wins their first International Tournament title when the second edition of the World Tournament was held in Perth.
World Champion New Zealand team, 1967: Judy Blair (captain), Ann Boelee, Joan Harnett (Player of the Tournament), Margaret Gardiner, Elizabeth Rowley, Pam Hamilton, Sandra James, Mirth Solomon, Tilly Vercoe, Billie Irwin. Coach: Taini Jamieson.
1968
National headquarters moved to Wellington.
- During the period 1967-1977 Basketball becomes Netball and the New Zealand Basketball Association Inc changes its name to New Zealand Netball Association Inc.
- Referees become Umpires.
1969
The first Tour of New Zealand by an All Australian team since 1948. Australia wins the first test in Wellington and New Zealand the second in Dunedin.
1970
Council approves changing the sport's name from Basketball to Netball; and Referee to Umpire.
A year of great activity and change with a visit from Fiji prior to the tour of England the Caribbean by the New Zealand team.
The New Zealand playing uniform changes from a tunic to a black skirt with a Silver Fern and a white playing top.
1971
Third International Tournament held in Jamaica. Australia wins the title with New Zealand second.
1972
More than 5000 teams registered in New Zealand.
- Rapid growth of housewives' mid-week netball with children being cared for at the courts.
- Goodwill coaching and umpiring tour of Fiji, Western Samoa and Tonga by players in second to fourth Grades.
1973
Under-24 New Zealand side tours Australia, winning 44 out of 45 matches.
1974
The 50th Golden Jubilee of the New Zealand Netball Association (NZNA) is celebrated at the Council meeting in Greymouth.
- 36 affiliated Associations, 78 sub-associations and 5060 registered teams.
- 46 teams played in the National Tournament.
- New Zealand tours England.
The 1987 Silver Ferns completely dominated the World Championships - no team came within 10 goals of them.
1975
New Zealand hosts the fourth International Conference and Tournament in Auckland, August – September.
- International Women’s Year and International Netball Year for NZNA.
- New Zealand team wins eight games, loses to England by one goal and draws with Australia to finish third behind Australia and England.
1976
NZNA headquarters opens in Wellington with the appointment of a part-time paid secretary.
- North Island tour by Cook Islands, New Zealand declines tour of South Africa due to its suspension by the International Federation.
- Membership continues to grow and affiliation for the year was 6058 senior teams and 2816 primary school teams.
1983
At the 6th World Championships, in Singapore. New Zealand loses the final to Australia.
1987
New Zealand wins the 7th World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
World Champion New Zealand Team, 1987:
Leigh Gibbs (captain), Annette Heffernan, Angela Pule, Tracey Fear, Margaret Forsyth, Sandra Edge, Margaret Matenga, Waimarama Taumaunu, Rita Fatialofa, Joan Solia, Julie Townsend, Tracy Earl. Coach: Lois Muir.
1988
Milo International Series, New Zealand vs Trinidad & Tobago
1989
World Games held in West Germany for sports which had applied for Olympic recognition, but had not been accepted. New Zealand wins all its matches, including the final against Australia.
- New Zealand clean sweep three test Milo International Series against Australia.
- The Silver Ferns win the team award and Lyn Parker the coach/administrator award at the New Zealand Sportsman of the Year Awards.
1990 - 2010
1990
Australia wins the demonstration game between New Zealand and Australia at the Commonwealth Games held in Auckland.
- Milo World Series held with New Zealand beating Jamaica.
- NZ Netball Association head office moves from Wellington to Auckland.
1991
NZ Netball Association changes its name to Netball New Zealand and adopts a new logo to symbolise the game and the silver fern.
- England tours New Zealand in Milo International Series with Silver Ferns winning test series 3-0.
- At the 8th World Championships held in Sydney, Australia beats New Zealand 53-52 in a Final widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in netball history.
1992
Netball Awareness week launched for first time.
- New Zealand Championships replaces New Zealand Tournament.
- Milo World Series tour by Trinidad & Tobago – New Zealand wins test series 3-0.
- New Zealand under-21 team wins New Zealand’s first World Youth Championships title in Fiji, beating Australia 44-40 in the final.
- New Zealand team tours England and Ireland unbeaten.
- In June New Zealand travels to Australia for a three-test series, but lose the series 3-nil.
- Leigh Gibbs becomes New Zealand coach.
1994
Australia tours New Zealand for the Milo World Series, playing Silver Ferns and two Milo Invitational sides made up of New Zealand squad and young international players.
- Silver Ferns tour Jamaica and win the test series, 3-0.
- South Africa tours New Zealand after 20 years absence from international competition. England and Western Samoa tour New Zealand for Milo Series, won by New Zealand.
1995
Ninth World Championships held in Birmingham, England. South Africa causes an upset when they beat New Zealand for the first time ever, in pool play. New Zealand goes on to lose narrowly to Australia to miss out on the final, in which Australia defeats South Africa.
1996
“Shooting for Success” adopted as Netball New Zealand’s strategic plan. Fisher & Paykel Appliances becomes the major sponsor of NNZ & the Silver Ferns.
- Silver Ferns beat South Africa 3-0.
- The introduction of the Fisher & Paykel Cup for annual trans-Tasman clashes. The first match, played in Sydney, was won by Australia, 60-51.
1997
Silver Ferns beat Jamaica in three-test series and win against Cook Islands side.
- Silver Ferns win Fisher & Paykel Cup match against Australia at Mystery Creek, Hamilton.
- Silver Ferns tour England, with a clean sweep of the three-test series and one-off tests against Wales and Malaysia.
1998
Netball New Zealand launches its ambitious “Future Directions” strategy.
Thirty-three Unions become 12 Regional Entities and 110 associations become Netball Centres.
The 12 Regions are Northern, Auckland, Counties Manukau, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Eastern, Western, Wellington, Tasman, Canterbury, Otago and Southern.
- Coca-Cola Cup is revamped from a club competition to an elite regional event with 10 unique identities. Otago Rebels beat Southern Sting to win the first franchise-based competition.
- Australia beat Silver Ferns in three test series to retain the Fisher & Paykel Cup.
- Netball is included as a Commonwealth Games medal sport for the first time in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Silver Ferns win the silver medal after losing to Australia in the Final.
1999
The 75th Netball New Zealand anniversary celebrations are held.
- The New Zealand Dream Team is announced:
Margharet Matenga GS; Joan Harnett-Kindley GA; Rita Fatialofa WA; Sandra Edge C; Lyn Gunson WD; Yvonne Willering GD; Tracey Fear GK - New Zealand hosts the 10th World Championships in Christchurch.
The Silver Ferns suffer a one-goal loss to Australia in an epic Final. The match, televised on TV2, was the broadcaster’s highest rating programme ever at the time.
- New Board structure is introduced, including role of Chief Executive. Shelley McMeeken is appointed and fills the role for seven years.
- Ascot Park Hotel Southern Sting win the Coca-Cola Cup.
The triumphant World Champion Silver Ferns of 2003.
2000
The Silver Ferns play a World 7 team featuring Kath Harby (Australia), Elaine Davis (Jamaica), Leana Du Plooy (South Africa) and Vilimaina Davu (Fiji) and Team Pasifika.
- Silver Ferns tour South Africa for the first time winning all three tests. England tours New Zealand.
2001
Future Directions II strategy announced with a vision to make Netball in New Zealand ‘more visible, more exciting, more now”.
- Silver Ferns win inaugural Tri-Nations Series against Australia and South Africa. England tour New Zealand. Australia tour and win Fisher & Paykel Series.
2002
Ruth Aitken is appointed New Zealand coach with Leigh Gibbs as assistant coach.
Early season tour to Jamaica. Silver Ferns win series 2-1 after suffering their first ever loss to Jamaica in the second test.
Silver Ferns win silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, in Manchester, losing in the final to Australia in the longest test match in history after double overtime was required to separate the teams.
2003
A golden year for Netball in New Zealand as the Silver Ferns are unbeaten on their way to winning the 11th World Championships in Jamaica, their first world title since 1987.
World Champion Silver Ferns, 2003:
Anna Rowberry (captain), Irene van Dyk, Tania Dalton, Belinda Colling, Temepara George, Sheryl Clark, Vilimaina Davu, Lesley Nicol, Adine Wilson, Anna Scarlett, Jodi Te Huna, Leana du Plooy. Coach: Ruth Aitken. Assistant Coach: Leigh Gibbs. Manager: Sheryl Wells.
2004
At New Zealand's annual Halberg Sports awards, the Silver Ferns win the Halberg Supreme Award, Ruth Aitken is named Coach of the Year and Irene van Dyk takes out the Sportswoman of the Year award.
2005
Netball New Zealand launches its Strategic Plan, 'Out of the Circle’.
- The Silver Ferns achieve their largest winning score against Australia in a test match with a 61–36 result in Auckland.
- The New Zealand under-21 team wins the World Youth Championship title in Fort Lauderdale, Miami.
- Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic become the first North Island team to win the National Bank Cup when they beat the Southern Sting in the final, in the process ending the Sting’s six-year reign as champions.
2006
New look Asics match dress for the Silver Ferns.
- The Silver Ferns win the Commonwealth Games gold medal for the first time with a 60-55 win over Australia in the final in Melbourne.
New Zealand's Commonwealth Games Gold Medal Team, 2006:
Adine Wilson (captain), Irene van Dyk, Belinda Colling, Jess Tuki, Maria Tutaia, Temepara Clark, Laura Langman, Anna Rowberry, Anna Scarlett, Vilimaina Davu, Leanna du Bruin, Casey Williams, (Jodi Te Huna injured). Coach: Ruth Aitken. Assistant coach: Leigh Gibbs. Manager: Jackie Barron.
2007
Raelene Castle is appointed Chief Executive of Netball New Zealand.
The National Bank Cup competition ends on a high note when Southern Sting defeats Northern Force in the Final to take the trophy home to invercargill for good.
Given only ten months to organise the 12th World Championships, New Zealand hosts a highly successful event at The Trusts Stadium, Waitakere, Auckland. Australia defeats New Zealand 42-38 in a bruising and enthralling Final.
Netball New Zealand and Netball Australia establish a joint venture company, Trans Tasman Netball Ltd, to launch Austrasia's first semi-professional netball league, subsequently known as the ANZ Championship.
2008
New World becomes the elite sponsor of Netball New Zealand & the Silver Ferns.
The first ANZ Championship title is won by the NSW Swifts who beat Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in the Grand Final on 28 July.
The format of the National Championships, supported by the Perry Foundation, is revamped, with round robin 1st Grade games held over four weeks, before a Finals Week in Rotorua.
2009
Netball New launches its Strategic Plan, 2009-2012, with the goal of becoming New Zealand's leading sport by 2020.
New apparel sponsor adidas launches the new Silver Ferns match dress.
The inaugural New Zealand Under-17 Championships are held in Wellington and won by Auckland Waitakere.