Fast5 Netball World Series
The Fast5 Netball World Series will run from November 9 – November 10, 2024 at Wolf Brook Arena in Christchurch, New Zealand. This event will feature top teams from around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, South Africa and Uganda. Australia is the current Fast5 Netball World Series Champions after beating New Zealand last year 35 to 23.
Fast5 Popularity
Unlike traditional netball, which features seven players per team and four 15-minute quarters, Fast5 is a unique variation of the sport. Each team fields five players and the game consist of four quarters lasting six minutes each. In Fast5, points are awarded based on the shooting distance with two or three points per goal, unlike the conventional one point per goal system.
Additionally, Fast5 included a ‘power play’ quarter where each teams’ goals are doubled. Substitutions are rolling and can occur at any time, whether during a break or in the middle of play.
History of Fast5 Netball Series
The Fast5 Netball Series was first held in October 2009 in Manchester, England. New Zealand won the championship. The tournament at the time was under the name FastNet but adopted the new name of Fast5 in 2012. The tournament is highly exclusive with only six participating countries ranked by the best Netball teams in the world. New Zealand has won seven championships, Australia two championships, and England two championships. Uganda had a great show in the 2022 Series but came in fifth place.
The two-day event is a thrilling experience for both fans and athletes, extending beyond the games themselves as a premier global netball event. The atmosphere is electric and vibrant, showcasing top-notch athleticism and engaging fan activation events throughout the hosting cities.
Fast5 compared to Rugby and Basketball
The Fast5 Netball World Series is often likened to Rugby 7s and Basketball 3v3, as all are modified versions of their respective sports, designed to be faster-paced and more thrilling to watch. According to the International Federation of Netball Associations, Fast5 provides an opportunity to expand the netball fanbase, attract more sponsorships and partnerships, and increase the sport’s presence in mainstream media.
