Parent's Guide to England Netball Bee Netball Years 1-6 (Ages 5-11) 2026/27

Bee Netball uses a size 4 ball (one size smaller than the adult size 5), suitably inflated, plus lowered posts:

England Netball's Domestic Rules Guidance says that adjustable posts should be shortened to the right height. If a post is a fixed length, the ring is lowered instead. For Fliers, a floor spot or other target can stand in for a goal if needed.

Buzzers (Years 1-2) don't play a match format yet. England Netball's framework uses co-operative games in groups of 4, building up to 6, and small-sided games such as 3 v 1 and 2 v 2, then 4 v 2 and 3 v 3.

• Fliers (Years 3-4): there are no positions. Bibs are just used to tell the teams apart.
• Stingers (Years 5-6): five positions are used: GS, GA, C, GD and GK. There's no WA or WD because teams have only 5 on court.

At both stages the rules say to rotate players at every break so they get fair game time. Children also rotate through positions, so a Stinger won't spend the whole session at GK.

England Netball's Stingers rotation sheet has a simple method for a squad of 5 or 6. The children line up in a fixed order (GA, GD, C, GS, GK, then the player who's off). After each period the off player comes on at GA, everyone moves along one, and the GK comes off.

For matches against other clubs or schools, England Netball recommends squads of 7 or more. That gives children proper rest, plus time in off-court roles such as team leader, umpire or rotation checker.

Yes. Squads can include girls and boys, but England Netball's Bee Netball rules for Fliers and Stingers allow no more than 2 boys on court at any one time.

The Stingers rotation guidance covers this too: if a squad has 3 boys, the coach skips any rotation that would put all three on court together.

England Netball's simplified Bee Netball rules for Fliers (Years 3-4) and Stingers (Years 5-6):

Both stages

• Pass the ball within 4 seconds.
• Defenders must be at least 0.9 m away from the player with the ball, and may intercept by jumping to catch it. Hitting the ball out of someone's hands isn't allowed.
• No kicking the ball, and no passing while sitting or lying on the ground.
• If the ball or a player goes outside the court, the other team gets a throw-in.
• Centre passes alternate between the teams after each goal.

Fliers

• When you catch the ball you can take one step, then you must stand still.
• The ball must be passed at least once after a centre pass before a goal can be scored.
• Jumping up and down directly in front of the player with the ball isn't allowed.

Stingers

• When you receive the ball, try to stand still.
• No bouncing the ball, and you can't play a ball you've just dropped or thrown yourself.
• To score, the ball must be received in the centre third and then in the goal third first.
• Going into an area your position isn't allowed in (offside) gives the other team a throw-in.

England Netball applies the World Netball rules on player safety (Rule 3.12) to all netball, with some domestic guidance on top:

• No earrings or other body piercings. Piercings that can't be removed (such as dermal piercings) must be covered with padding or tape.
• Fingernails must be short and smooth.
• Hair must be tied back (a single ponytail is enough) and free of beads, clips or other decoration. Beading that can't easily be removed can be covered with a scarf or bonnet.
• Religious items: flat religious rings or bracelets that aren't removed for religious or cultural reasons must be covered with padding or tape.
• Medical devices (for example a glucose monitor) must be securely covered with tape or padding.
• Head coverings are allowed if they're soft, have no embellishments and have any loose edges tucked in or secured. Caps and visors aren't allowed.
• Footwear: suitable sports shoes without spikes.

Kit choice: from the start of the 2027/28 season, England Netball's Inclusive Kit Policy requires clubs (up to and including Regional League) to let players choose the kit they're most comfortable in. Dresses aren't banned.

Club and community Bee Netball is led by a trained Bee Leader or an England Netball Level 2 (or higher) coach. Those are the qualifications England Netball's insurance requires to lead Bee Netball.

• Bee Leader Award: a 2-hour online module plus a 4-hour in-person workshop and assessment. Learners can take it from 16, but can't deliver on their own until they are 18; until then they must be supervised by a Level 2 or 3 coach or an adult Bee Leader.
• Bee Leader Certificate (Teacher): for qualified teachers, and valid only in schools.
• Bee Leader Certificate (Coach): for holders of the England Netball Level 2 or 3 coaching certificate.

Checks: anyone in regulated activity with children must have an England Netball DBS check, renewed every 3 years. From 1 September 2026, England Netball requires a DBS check for anyone in regular contact with children, even if they are supervised. Community leaders also need a safeguarding certificate and a first aid certificate.

In a club or community setting, England Netball sets these maximum ratios for Bee Leaders:

On top of the ratio, at least two adults must be present for any session with under-18s.

• Parents are not counted in the ratio unless they are also club volunteers (and then they need a DBS check like any other volunteer).
• A Bee Leader who qualified while under 18 can't be counted in the ratio until they turn 18.
• England Netball recommends no more than 30 participants training on one full-size court.

When netball is run by school staff during school time, the school's own ratios and policies apply instead.