 Martina Bergman @-@ Österberg introduced a version of basketball in 1893 to her female students at the Physical Training College in Hampstead , London . The rules of the game were modified at the college over several years : the game moved outdoors and was played on grass ; the baskets were replaced by rings that had nets ; and in 1897 and 1899 , rules from women 's basketball in the United States were incorporated . Madame Österberg 's new sport acquired the name " net ball " . The first codified rules of netball were published in 1901 by the Ling Association , later the Physical Education Association of the United Kingdom . From England , netball spread to other countries in the British Empire . Variations of the rules and even names for the sport arose in different areas : " women 's ( outdoor ) basketball " arrived in Australia around 1900 and in New Zealand from 1906 , while " netball " was being played in Jamaican schools by 1909 . 
