Netball is a sport where height is a critical advantage, particularly in the shooting circle and under the goal post. The sport’s restricted movement rules mean that tall players cannot be outrun, only out-positioned, making height even more valuable than in basketball. The tallest netball players typically play goal shooter or goal keeper, where their reach can be the difference between winning and losing.
⚡ Quick Facts:
- The tallest netball player ever is Irene van Dyk at 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
- This list covers the top 10 tallest netball players of all time
- Heights are shown in both feet/inches and centimetres
Complete List: Top 10 Tallest Netball Players
| Rank | Player | Height | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Irene van Dyk | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | South Africa/New Zealand |
| 2 | Jhaniele Fowler | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | Jamaica |
| 3 | Romelda Aiken-George | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | Jamaica |
| 4 | Shimona Nelson | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | Jamaica |
| 5 | Caitlin Bassett | 6 ft 3 in (190 cm) | Australia |
| 6 | Tharjini Sivalingam | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | Sri Lanka |
| 7 | Jane Watson | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | New Zealand |
| 8 | Geva Mentor | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | United Kingdom |
| 9 | Maria Folau (nee Tutaia) | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | New Zealand |
| 10 | Jo Weston | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | Australia |
1. Irene van Dyk — 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Country: South Africa/New Zealand
Irene van Dyk is one of the greatest goal shooters in netball history and the tallest dominant shooter the sport has seen. The South African-born New Zealand international played for the Silver Ferns and won over 200 international caps. Van Dyk was known for her incredible accuracy from anywhere in the circle and her ability to shoot over any defender.
2. Jhaniele Fowler — 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Country: Jamaica
Jhaniele Fowler is the tallest elite netball player in the world and one of the most dominant shooters in Super Netball history. The Jamaican goal shooter has won multiple Super Netball MVP awards and has been virtually unguardable due to her height and shooting accuracy. Fowler has represented Jamaica at multiple World Cups and Commonwealth Games.
3. Romelda Aiken-George — 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Country: Jamaica
Romelda Aiken-George is one of the tallest netball players in history and has been a dominant force in both Super Netball and international netball. The Jamaican goal shooter has played for multiple Super Netball teams in Australia and is known for her incredible reach and shooting accuracy. Aiken-George has represented Jamaica at World Cups and Commonwealth Games.
4. Shimona Nelson — 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Country: Jamaica
Shimona Nelson is a tall Jamaican goal shooter who has become one of the most lethal scorers in Super Netball. Nelson has won the Super Netball Goal Shooter of the Year award and consistently posts the highest shooting percentages in the league. The Jamaican international uses her height and soft shooting touch to dominate.
5. Caitlin Bassett — 6 ft 3 in (190 cm)
Country: Australia
Caitlin Bassett was one of the tallest Australian Diamonds shooters in history and captained the national team. The goal shooter won the 2015 Netball World Cup as captain and was one of the most accurate shooters in Super Netball. Bassett used her height for both shooting and rebounding at the international level.
6. Tharjini Sivalingam — 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Country: Sri Lanka
Tharjini Sivalingam is the tallest known international netball player at 6 ft 6 in and represents Sri Lanka. The goal shooter has been a revelation in Asian netball and uses her extraordinary height to shoot over any defender. Sivalingam has helped Sri Lanka compete with more established netball nations at the Asian Championships.
7. Jane Watson — 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Country: New Zealand
Jane Watson has been one of the tallest and most effective goal keepers in international netball. The Silver Ferns defender uses her height and long arms to intercept feeds into the circle and contest shots. Watson has been a key member of the New Zealand team at World Cups and Commonwealth Games.
8. Geva Mentor — 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Country: United Kingdom
Geva Mentor is one of the most experienced and tallest goal keepers in netball history with over 150 international caps for England and the UK. The defender played Super Netball in Australia and ANZ Championship for over a decade. Mentor won the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medal with England in a historic upset.
9. Maria Folau (nee Tutaia) — 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Country: New Zealand
Maria Folau was one of the greatest goal shooters in Silver Ferns history and was known for her long-range shooting accuracy. The New Zealand international won over 150 caps and was a key player in multiple World Cup campaigns. Folau was famous for her ability to score from anywhere in the circle with pinpoint accuracy.
10. Jo Weston — 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Country: Australia
Jo Weston is one of the tallest and best goal defenders in Australian netball history. The Australian Diamonds star has won Super Netball championships and been named in multiple World All-Star teams. Weston combines her height with exceptional speed and agility to be one of the most versatile defenders in the sport.
📏 Want to see how you compare?
Use our free Height Converter to convert your height, or try the Height Comparison Tool to visually compare yourself with these netball giants. Browse our Celebrity Heights database or check out Average Height by Country for more data.
Final Thoughts
Netball is one of the few team sports where height advantage is amplified by the rules. The restricted movement zones and no-jumping-while-defending rules mean that taller players have an even greater advantage than in basketball. The tallest players on this list have dominated the shooting circle and goal defence positions, proving that in netball, height is one of the most valuable assets a player can possess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the tallest netball player ever?
Tharjini Sivalingam of Sri Lanka at 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) is the tallest known international netball player. Among the most successful tall players, Jhaniele Fowler and Romelda Aiken-George at 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) are the tallest elite shooters.
Does height matter in netball?
Height is perhaps more important in netball than in any other team sport. The restricted movement rules mean tall players cannot be outrun, and the no-jumping-while-defending rule gives shooters an enormous advantage. Goal shooters and goal keepers especially benefit from height.
What is the average height of a netball player?
International netball players average approximately 5 ft 10 in (178 cm). Shooters and defenders tend to be taller at around 6 ft 0 in to 6 ft 5 in, while midcourt players are often closer to 5 ft 8 in.