Our top tips to care for your netballs The biggest brands at the best prices View this email in your browser Trainers • Netballs • Posts • Clothing • Merch • Training • Officiating • Essentials You can't be your best on court if you're using a ball that has seen better days. As we all train, play, coach and umpire here at Netball UK, we've put together these helpful hints and tips on what to choose and to prolong the life of your netball. INFLATING YOUR NETBALLS Before you inflate your netball, make sure you check the following: Ensure that the inflation needle is smooth, and there are no sharp edges which could damage the valve. Pull the ball into a rough ball shape – if you just put the needle into the valve without pulling the ball into shape, the bladder can be damaged, or get trapped in the folds of the ball. Moisten the inflation needle using glycerine or vegetable oil. We know it can be really hard to know when to stop - but if you put too much air in there's nowhere for it to go and it can lead to stitching splitting, so it’s essential you do not overinflate. You want your netballs to be firm not rock hard so it's always better to under-inflate then you can add more air if needed, rather than keep going which can lead to damage. Netballs should be inflated to 10psi. This is the optimum level of inflation – lower will mean the ball is not hard enough resulting in poor performance, higher will result in the ball being too hard and risk going out of shape. CLEANING YOUR NETBALLS It is advised that you regularly clean your netball thoroughly with soapy water, using standard hand soap. Don’t use detergents that contain bleach as this can damage the material of the outer covering and the stitching. Netballs should then be dried with a soft hand towel to remove moisture, to leave the ball as dry as possible. If the ball gets wet during play, it should be dried in an airy place and not force dried with heat as this may damage the ball. STORING YOUR NETBALLS After your game is finished, it’s important to continue to look after your netball to ensure its shape and materials aren’t compromised – to maximise your performance on the court. Store them in a dry environment with good ventilation, a mesh style ball bag is recommended enabling any existing moisture to escape. And, never store in direct sunlight as this can harden the surface. preferably not in the boot of a car as if a ball gets too hot, it could deform. INVEST IN YOUR NETBALLS Like anything in life, the more you pay the better you get which is absolutely true with netballs. The more you invest the better grip, backing (inside the netball) and most importantly better air retention. NEED MORE ADVICE? Give us a ring on 0161 626 3936 or email [email protected] and your expert team will help with more tips and advice on everything netball. Shop netballs >> MATCH >> TRAINING >> BUNDLES >> GILBERT >> MITRE >> MOLTEN >> Copyright © 2024 Netball UK, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Netball UK, Netball House, Pennant Street, Oldham OL1 3BS Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.