Quick answer: Netball bibs identify which of the seven positions each player is filling, so umpires and players can see instantly who is allowed in which third of the court. A full set is seven bibs — GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD and GK — and most clubs buy two sets in contrasting colours, or one reversible set, so both teams can be told apart. Position letters are worn on the front and back, usually between 100mm and 150mm high depending on the competition. Bibs are sized junior to adult and should sit close to the body without restricting the arms.
Netball bibs look like the simplest item in the kit bag, and they are the one most clubs get slightly wrong — buying one set instead of two, guessing at sizes, or ending up with lettering that a league umpire will not accept. This guide covers what bibs are for, what each letter means, how many you need, how they should fit, and when it is worth having them personalised rather than buying a generic pack.
What are bibs for in netball?
Netball restricts every position to certain areas of the court. A Goal Shooter may not leave the attacking third; a Centre may go almost everywhere but into neither goal circle. With seven players a side moving quickly, umpires need to identify positions at a glance — and so do the players, who must know who they are marking. The bib is that identifier.
That is why the letters appear on the front and the back. An umpire standing behind play needs the same information as one in front of it. It is also why bib colours matter: the two teams must be clearly distinguishable, which is the single most common reason a club turns up to an away fixture and has to borrow kit.
The seven netball positions and what each letter means
- GS — Goal Shooter. Attacking third, including the goal circle. Scores goals.
- GA — Goal Attack. Centre third and attacking third, including the goal circle. Shoots and feeds the shooter.
- WA — Wing Attack. Centre third and attacking third, but not the goal circle. Feeds the ball in to the shooters.
- C — Centre. All three thirds, but neither goal circle. Takes the centre pass and links defence to attack.
- WD — Wing Defence. Centre third and defensive third, but not the goal circle. Marks the opposing Wing Attack.
- GD — Goal Defence. Centre third and defensive third, including the goal circle. Marks the Goal Attack.
- GK — Goal Keeper. Defensive third, including the goal circle. Marks the Goal Shooter.
A useful way to remember it: anything with a G in it can enter a goal circle, except the two wings. Juniors playing High 5 or other modified formats may use a reduced set of positions, so check your league's format before ordering.
How many netball bibs does a team need?
Seven bibs make one playing set. In practice, plan for more:
- One set of seven covers a single team on court, and nothing else.
- Two sets in contrasting colours is the sensible club minimum — it covers home and away colour clashes and lets you run an internal practice match.
- Reversible sets give you two colours in one set of seven. Cheaper and lighter to carry, but you cannot field two teams at once.
- Training squads usually want spares. A squad of twelve with seven bibs means five players standing around without one.
Schools running several teams across a year group should count by team, not by player — a PE department fielding three netball teams needs three sets on court at the same time.
How big should the letters be?
Position initials are worn on the front and back of the bib. Historically the rule book has specified a range of roughly 100mm to 150mm (4–6 inches) high, and most commercial bibs sit near the top of that range. Domestic leagues, school competitions and modified junior formats can vary, so check the current regulations for the competition you are entering before you commit to a custom run. If you are unsure, 150mm front and back is the safe default for senior domestic netball.
Netball bib sizes and fit
Bibs are generally sold as junior, small, medium and large, sized on chest measurement rather than age. Two rules of thumb:
- Size for the layer underneath. A bib worn over a warm-up top in February needs more room than one worn over a match dress in June.
- Close, not tight. A bib that flaps can be caught by an opponent's arm; one that is too tight restricts the shoulder on a shooting action. It should sit flat against the dress with the side ties done up.
If you are ordering for a mixed-age club, our guide to junior team kit sizing covers how to collect measurements without chasing thirty parents individually.
How do netball bibs stay on?
Most bibs use side ties or elasticated side straps rather than a closed garment, so a player can change position at half time without taking off her dress. Ties give a more adjustable fit and outlast elastic; elastic is quicker to swap mid-match. Whichever you choose, tie at the waist rather than under the arm — a knot high on the ribs is what causes bibs to ride up and twist.
Plain, lettered, reversible or personalised?
- Plain bibs with removable letter patches are the cheapest and the most fiddly. Patches get lost.
- Pre-lettered bibs are the standard club purchase — a fixed set of seven in one colour.
- Reversible bibs solve colour clashes for clubs with limited storage or budget.
- Personalised bibs carry your club colours, crest and sponsor logo alongside the position letter. They cost more per bib and they look like your club rather than a generic sports catalogue.
Personalised bibs make most sense for clubs that already have branded match kit, for schools that want PE kit to match the school identity, and for any side carrying a sponsor who expects visibility. Because we dye-sublimate the design into the fabric rather than pressing it on top, the letters and crest will not crack or peel — which matters on a garment that gets pulled at, folded wet into a kit bag and washed weekly.
Do you still need bibs if your dresses have positions printed on?
Some clubs print positional lettering straight onto the match dress. It looks excellent, but it fixes each player to one position for the whole season, which rarely survives contact with a real squad, injuries or a coach rotating juniors through roles. Most clubs print the club identity and player number on the dress and keep positions on bibs, so the team sheet can change without reordering kit. Our custom netball kit page covers both approaches.
Looking after netball bibs
Wash at 30°C, inside out, without fabric conditioner — conditioner clogs the mesh that makes bibs breathable. Air dry rather than tumble dry, and never iron directly over lettering. Store them dry: a damp bib left knotted in a kit bag for a week is how a set of seven becomes a set of six. There is more on this in our guide to washing printed and embroidered clothing.
FAQs
How many bibs are in a netball set? Seven — one for each position: GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD and GK.
Can you make netball bibs in our club colours? Yes. We produce fully personalised bibs in your club colours with your crest, sponsor logo and position lettering, with no minimum order and a free digital proof before production.
Are reversible bibs allowed in league netball? Generally yes, provided the lettering is clear and the two teams are distinguishable. Check your league's kit regulations, as domestic rules vary.
How long do custom bibs take? Typically 7–14 working days from proof approval. Order well before the season starts — August and September are the busiest weeks of the netball year.
Getting your bibs sorted
If your club is replacing bibs this season, it is usually worth doing it at the same time as the rest of the kit so colours, crest and sponsor placement match across the range. Browse our teamwear range, read the club guide to ordering netball kit, or request a quote with your colours and squad numbers and we will send a free design proof back within one working day.
