Netball: Playing at different games

Irene Van Dyk and her team the Magic have struggled to make an impact in Australia. Photo / Sarah Ivey

So, we're nearly two seasons in to the ANZ Championship and New Zealand teams are still without a win across the Tasman. That's one hell of a monkey.

There's been much debate as to why such an unflattering record has developed. Some say it's the travel, others suggest it's a mental thing, but over time it has become clear the biggest factor is the difference in umpiring interpretations between the two countries.

If you compare the results from this year to last, it seems Australian teams struggle in this area as well. With the exception of the Northern Mystics and Central Pulse, who haven't been able to beat an Aussie team whether it be at home or away, it seems where the match is played makes a huge difference to the outcome of transtasman matches.

For the past two seasons we've heard vague references to the differences in umpiring interpretations, but what exactly are they? There are many subtle and not-so-subtle discrepancies between the two countries, but there appears to be three key areas that New Zealand players struggle with the most:

1. One of the most obvious differences is that the New Zealand umpires don't allow the same level of contesting as their Australian counterparts do. Northern Mystics coach Te Aroha Keenan believes there seems to be two very different mindsets.

"[The Australian umpires] say, 'Well, they're both pushing so it's a fair contest', whereas here our umpires say 'You're pushing more than the other one, so it's an unfair contest'," said Keenan.

One theory on why the variation has developed is because New Zealand teams play a more aerial style of game and therefore the potential for mid-air collisions, or players being injured by having their landing space taken away, is greater. In the interests of safety, Kiwi umpires tend to take a more conservative approach to contesting the ball. Australians, however, play a lower, faster style of game so they are able to contest more closely without the risk of injury.

2. Given New Zealand teams often play a space-marking style of defence through court, they often get a rude awakening when they take on Australian teams who employ a tight one-on-one style of marking. Some have likened it to wearing a human back-pack for an hour.

Southern Steel midcourter Liana Barrett-Chase said this is where New Zealand attackers are disadvantaged under Australian umpires, who tend to play advantage more.

"Their players tend to run through things, but in New Zealand we stop, jump in to the ball and turn in the air," said Barrett-Chase.

She believes, given the way Kiwi players take the ball, if a contact occurs they are more likely to get thrown off their stride, forcing their timing out, and therefore there is no advantage. The Australian players run the ball right through so if a contact occurs it is easier for them to shake the player off and continue.

3. Netball NZ talent development manager Leigh Gibbs believes the different stances and body positioning of defenders in each country may lead to differences in the way the umpires view contests in the circle.

"When we're tight-marking, we're more of a side-marking, restrictive kind of defender, whereas Australians tend to front mark or sit behind their player," said Gibbs.

"So the bodies are in different positions and when you are umpiring a style of play that you're more familiar with, I guess you look at it through those eyes."

Because of the different defensive stances, New Zealand teams are pinged for a lot more offensive penalties when they cross the Tasman. As one example, the Kiwi shooters aren't used to having their opponent standing in front trying to jostle them backwards. They are sometimes guilty of pushing off their defender in order to create space behind them, which Australian umpires take a dim view of.