UNF launches Fast5 Netball

The Fast5 version of netball may be the kind of game Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) needs to adapt if they are to strengthen the She Cranes brand and also improve their performances at international level.

UNF have always wanted to groom swift players in a bid to outcompete teams like Australia, New Zealand or England so this fast, furious and exciting version of netball could answer their call.

But this can only be possible if local players adapt to the new format earlier before the Commonwealth Games and World Cup qualifiers scheduled for April and August according to coach Fred Mugerwa.

Mugerwa, who has been conducting a four-day coaching course that ended at Lugogo on Thursday, added that, "We expect these coaches to spread the game in their respective clubs and institutions in the different regions because it's the future of netball."

"The game teaches players to play a fast game and also be able to endure pressure because they are fewer on court as compared to the traditional netball," he said.

For starters; in the Fast5, all general netball rules apply like no contact, obstruction and stepping but unlike in the traditional (7-a-side) netball, here it is only Goal Shooter (GS), Goal Attacker (GA), Centre (C), Goal Defender (GD) and Goal Keeper (GK) who feature in a game.

There are three scoring zones and a point is awarded for shots taken from inside the goal circle while 2 and 3points are awarded to a goal scored from outside the second and third goal circles respectively in a game that lasts for 24minutes (6min per quarter). The format will be launched officially on March 9.