Let me paint you a picture. It’s day three of the school holidays. The snack cupboard has been raided twice before 10am, someone is arguing about whose turn it is on the Switch, and you’re quietly wondering how two weeks can feel this long. Sound familiar?
If you’ve got a sporty kid — or a kid who just needs to move their body and be around other children — booking them into a netball camp school holidays might be one of the easiest wins you make all term. It gets them active, off screens, socialising with new friends, and genuinely tired by 3pm. Which, let’s be honest, is the dream.
Here’s what you need to know.
Why Netball Specifically?
Netball is one of those sports that’s surprisingly brilliant for kids at almost any age or skill level. It builds coordination, spatial awareness, and quick thinking, but more than that, it’s a team sport at its core — which means kids learn to communicate, trust each other, and work toward something together.
For kids who already play during the school term, a holiday camp is a fantastic way to keep their skills sharp and get some extra court time. And for kids who’ve never played before, or who’ve only tried it at school PE, a camp environment is genuinely one of the best ways to fall in love with the game — because the focus is on fun first, skills second.
What Happens at a Netball Holiday Camp?
Most quality netball camps follow a similar structure: kids are grouped by age and ability, work through coached drills and skill sessions, play small-sided games throughout the day, and usually finish with some kind of match or competition. The better camps keep group sizes small so every child actually gets coaching attention — not just a run-around with a ball.
Australian Sports Camps, for example, runs 3-day programs from 9am to 3pm across Australia school holidays, with new camps posted at the beginning of each school term. Groups are assigned based on friendships, ability, and age, with a maximum of 14 participants per group — and camps feature video analysis using digital coaching software alongside visits from special guest coaches.
That kind of structure makes a real difference. A smaller group means your child isn’t just one of 40 kids chasing a ball around. They’re getting actual instruction, actual feedback, and actual improvement across the three days.
What About Kids Who Are Nervous or New to the Sport?
This is probably the most common question I hear from parents. My kid wants to try netball, but what if they don’t know anyone? What if they’re not good enough?
Here’s the reassuring truth: camps are full of kids in exactly that position. Most providers specifically cater for all abilities, from complete beginners to more experienced players. International Sports Camps, for instance, offer dedicated programs for 5–7 year olds, 7–12 year olds, and 12–15 year olds, with coaching from leading players and coaches across 18.75 hours of contact time over three days. That age and ability grouping matters — your eight-year-old who’s never played before won’t be on the court with competitive 14-year-olds.
And as for not knowing anyone? Most kids come home having made at least one new friend. That’s one of the quiet magic things about sport.
How to Choose the Right Netball Camp
Not all camps are created equal, so here are a few things worth checking before you book.
Coach qualifications. Look for camps where coaches are accredited and experienced. Any reputable provider should also have Working with Children checks across all staff — don’t be shy about asking.
Group sizes. Smaller is better. If a camp is running 50 kids with three coaches, your child’s experience won’t be the same as a camp with 12 kids per group.
Age and ability grouping. Make sure the camp groups children appropriately. A five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old should not be in the same session.
Venue and location. Perth is a big city, and a camp that’s a 45-minute drive away is going to get old fast. Most providers run across multiple venues, so check what’s convenient for your family. Australian Sports Camps venues include the Gold Netball Centre — a world-class netball facility — among others spread across the metro area.
Refund and cancellation policy. Kids get sick, plans change. Australian Sports Camps offers a 7-day refund policy — no questions asked — which is the kind of flexibility that makes booking ahead feel much lower risk.
Safety policies. If your child has any allergies, check the camp’s food policy. Australian Sports Camps operates a nut-free policy at all camps, which is worth knowing if this applies to your family.
Is It Worth the Cost?
A three-day netball camp typically runs in the $200–$230 range for full days, which works out to roughly the cost of one day of vacation care — except your child comes home having genuinely learned something, made new connections, and (hopefully) discovered a new passion for a sport they’ll carry through their teenage years and beyond.
Many providers also offer early bird pricing and sibling discounts, and some accept government sport vouchers. Afterpay is available through Australian Sports Camps too, which is handy if you’re booking a few activities across the same holidays.
A Note for Working Parents
One thing that doesn’t get said enough: school holiday camps are genuinely one of the best solutions for working parents who need coverage during the day. A 9am–3pm program covers the bulk of a working day, kids are supervised by qualified staff the whole time, and they come home genuinely worn out and happy.
It’s not just childcare. It’s good childcare that also happens to develop your kid’s skills and confidence. That’s a combination that’s hard to beat.
Ready to Book?
If a netball camp sounds like the right fit for your child these school holidays, Australian Sports Camps is a great place to start — their schedule covers multiple suburbs and caters to a wide age range.
Because honestly? You deserve a school holiday where everyone comes home tired and happy — including you.
Bianca Johnson’s story begins with a strong enthusiasm for writing and motherhood. This passion drove her to launch the blog, Conversations with Bianca. Its purpose is to aid mothers in tackling their daily struggles. Bianca’s personal experiences, along with her love for raising children, inspired her to build a supportive community for parents.
As a mom of two, Bianca knows how hard parenting can be. On her blog, she gives advice on how to combine work and family duties with ease. The hope is that parents can find ways to manage their lives correctly, and still have time to enjoy raising their children. Conversations with Bianca aims to assist modern moms in preserving their autonomy while taking care of their families.