Four quarters. A rectangular court with sidelines. Two goals on either end each with a hoop and net. Each player has a position, and the objective is to move the ball from one end of the court to the other by passing to teammates who then attempt to throw the ball through the hoop.

Sounds familiar, right? But it’s not basketball – it’s netball. There’s no dribbling: players can take one step after receiving a pass and must shoot or pass within three seconds. Accuracy is key in this fast-paced game as there is no backboard.

Even with those differences, there’s no mistaking netball’s relation to basketball – many believe netball was formed due to a difference in basketball rules when one woman, in an attempt to introduce more women to the game, created a new set of rules and netball was born.

That focus on female participation continues and is responsible for netball’s exponential growth in recent years. Netball's governing body is determined to increase opportunities for disadvantaged youth – especially girls – to learn and play netball, which certainly fuels the sport’s growth.

Many Mission of Mercy countries, including Swaziland and Kenya, have national teams. The sport is growing in popularity in India, Ethiopia, and Thailand. Sri Lanka’s team is ranked 14th in the world! There is increased pressure to include netball in the 2010 Olympic Games in London.

But before that event occurs, another major competition will include this growing sport. The 2011 All-Africa Games will be held in Mozambique in September. In addition to netball, 22 other sporting competitions will be held, among them badminton and football (soccer).

The All-Africa Games begin on September 3rd, which gives you plenty of time to ask questions of your sponsored child!