Game-Day Ready: The Ultimate Netball Equipment Checklist

Game day comes around quickly, and the last thing any player, coach or club needs is to realise something important has been left at home. From having the right netball and checking your netball posts to making sure your team is properly equipped, being organised before the first whistle means you can focus on the game. It’s also worth keeping the World Netball Rules of Netball close by, checking England Netball’s match-day resources and making sure your equipment is safe and ready for play.

Your Game-Day Equipment Checklist

Whether you’re heading to a Saturday league fixture, tournament or a big club event, use this checklist before leaving for the court.

1. The Match Ball

The most obvious one - but also one of the easiest things to forget.

Make sure you have the correct match ball for your level of play and check it before heading out. Give it a quick once-over for any obvious damage, make sure it’s properly inflated and, if you’re the team responsible for providing the ball, make sure it’s packed and ready to go.

Gilbert offers a range of match and training netballs designed for different levels of the game, so if your club is due a ball refresh, it’s worth checking out the full Gilbert Netball range .

Don't forget: if you're responsible for the team's equipment, pack a spare ball where possible. One less thing to worry about if something goes wrong.

2. Pump & Pressure Gauge

A match ball is only useful if it’s ready to play.

Keep a pump in the equipment bag and, for clubs and coaches, a pressure gauge is a useful addition for checking balls before a fixture. Gilbert’s netball accessories range includes pumps, pressure gauges and other handy bits of equipment that can easily become game-day essentials.

A quick equipment check before leaving can save a lot of stress when you arrive at the venue.

3. Netball Posts & Nets

If your club is responsible for setting up the court, your equipment checklist needs to go beyond the ball.

Check your:

Netball posts
Rings
Nets
Post padding
Any fixings or accessories required for setup

World Netball sets out specific technical requirements for goalposts, while England Netball also recommends that posts and equipment are checked for safety.

If your club is looking to replace tired equipment or add another set for training, take a look at Gilbert’s Netball Posts collection.

4. Bibs & Training Equipment

Not everything in the equipment bag is needed once the whistle blows — but having the right training gear ready can make a huge difference before and after the game.

Pack your:

Training bibs
Cones
Whistles
Tactics board
Ball bags
Training balls

Bibs are particularly useful for warm-ups, drills and team sessions, while cones and other training accessories can help coaches get players moving before the match.

You can find all of these essentials in Gilbert’s Training Equipment & Accessories range.

5. Kit & Player Essentials

Equipment isn't just what's sitting court-side.

Players should also arrive with everything they need to get through the full game comfortably:

Match dress, top or skort
Spare socks
Netball trainers
Warm-up layers
Water bottle
Towel
Any personal essentials

It’s always worth packing a spare layer too, particularly for outdoor fixtures where the weather can change quickly.

And don't forget the bag itself. A dedicated Gilbert Club V4 Rucksack or player holdall makes it much easier to keep match kit, footwear and smaller essentials together.

6. Coach & Team Essentials

For coaches and team managers, the checklist gets a little longer.

Before leaving, make sure you have:

Match balls
Training balls
Bibs
Cones
Whistle
Tactics board
Pump
Ball bag
Water
First-aid essentials
Team paperwork or match-day information

Having everything in one organised equipment bag means less running around before the warm-up and more time getting the team ready.

7. Don't Forget the Court Check

Once you arrive, take a few minutes to look around before the team gets started.

Check that the playing surface and run-off areas are clear, the posts are secure and the equipment is safe to use. England Netball recommends checking playing surfaces, weather and lighting conditions, emergency access, first-aid provision and netball equipment as part of venue and session safety checks.

It might only take a couple of minutes, but it’s a simple step that can make a big difference.

Kitting Out the Whole Club?

If you're reading this as a club coach, equipment officer or committee member, you probably don't just need one ball and a pump.

You might need enough balls for multiple squads, new posts for training, bags, bibs, cones and all the little pieces of equipment that somehow disappear throughout a season.

That’s where Gilbert’s Club Bulk collection comes in.

The collection brings together match and training netballs, posts, bags, bibs, pumps, whistles, cones and coaching equipment, making it easier to order what your club needs in one place.

And there’s an added bonus for clubs and schools: the current Club Bulk Promotions offer 25% off £125+, 30% off £250+ and 35% off £750+ on eligible Club Kit orders.

So if your equipment cupboard is looking a little worse for wear, game day might be the perfect excuse for a refresh.

The Night-Before Game-Day Checklist

Save yourself the last-minute panic and do your equipment check the evening before:

Ready, Set, Play

Game day should be about the team, the competition and enjoying your netball — not wondering where the pump has disappeared to.

A quick equipment check before every fixture keeps everyone organised and helps your team arrive ready to play. Whether you're a player packing your own bag or a club preparing equipment for multiple squads, having a reliable checklist makes those pre-match jobs much easier.

For everything from your next match ball to the equipment cupboard essentials, explore the full Gilbert Netball range.

Game day? Check. Equipment? Check. Let's play.