Netball was first introduced to Samoa in the early 1940s by Catholic nuns, originally played as a nine-a-side game in schools under the name "women’s basketball."

 

By 1967, the Samoa Women’s Basketball Association was established, marking the start of organized club competitions. This growth was influenced by the return of Samoan women who had studied in New Zealand, where netball was already a well-developed sport.

While village tournaments gained popularity, they were mainly held in Apia, and inter-school competitions became an annual highlight among secondary schools in the area.

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In 1972, the sport officially adopted the name "netball." Samoa became internationally affiliated in 1986 and made its debut on the global stage at the 1991 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia.

In 1987, the Association launched its grassroots development program, starting with primary schools around Apia due to limited resources at the time.

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Today, netball is played across all districts in Samoa, with around 2,000 registered players aged 16 and over, and an estimated 1,000 more under the age of 16. From 1990 to 1996, netball development worked alongside the Samoa Rugby Union’s school programs, further boosting the sport’s reach.

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Netball remains the leading sport for women and girls throughout Samoa.