Netball Injuries

Netball is a popular sport, particularly among school students. With a high concentration of primary and secondary schools in Kew, we see many children and adolescents participating in school, club, and representative netball. However, it is a sport that’s prone to multiple injuries, which should not be left untreated.  

At Restore Physiotherapy, our goal is to help injured netball players with comprehensive assessments and customised recovery programs at each stage of their game. Whether through a home-based routine or a supervised clinical exercise program, our netball-specific plans focus on strengthening key muscle groups, such as the lower limbs, core, abdominals, and upper limbs.  

We also incorporate balance, proprioceptive, and neuromuscular training, along with exercises that target landing technique, pivoting, change of direction, eccentric control, and deceleration to improve a player’s performance on the court.  

Restore Physiotherapy works closely with surgeons, coaches, and parents to guide netball players through their recovery following ACL reconstruction or other major joint surgeries. We follow structured protocols that are tailored to the specific procedures and the individual needs of each athlete. 

Before returning to play, our team helps netballers meet key rehabilitation milestones, including strength benchmarks, functional tests (such as hopping and running), and sport-specific activities. 

Scenario

A young netball player came to us after an ACL reconstruction surgery. Such an injury takes a mental toll, as it demands discipline to stick with the rehabilitation plan before returning to the sport. She was eager to play again but understood the importance of following her rehab plan.  

Solution 

We designed a rehabilitation program that focused on a structured, progressive approach built around the surgeon’s guidelines. In addition to restoring strength, we also focused on improving biomechanics, particularly during landing, running, and change-of-direction movements. We also introduced functional tests and targeted neuromuscular training to build her readiness. 

Results

With resilience, discipline, and consistent physiotherapy, the player completed her rehabilitation and returned to netball stronger and more confident. With improved movement patterns and restored trust in her knee, she was able to perform at a high level without fear of reinjury.