Just 8 things you know to be true if you played netball growing up.

Thanks to our brand partner, Netball Queensland

As a little kid, I stood next to my dad every Saturday on the sidelines of the outdoor netball courts. Together we shivered, eating red frogs from the canteen and cheering on my sister as she scored goal after goal.

As soon as I was old enough to don that bib myself, poor dad was racing between courts, red frogs in pocket, trying not to miss a goal. 

Netball isn't just a sport; it's a way of life. And if, like me, you grew up on the courts, there are several things you know in the deepest part of your soul to be true... 

Goal Attack is a God-tier position, and I won't hear anything different.

Okay, we all know Centre runs the show, and Wing Attack is instrumental in moving the ball down the court for those sweet, sweet points.

But Goal Attack? Just like blondes, they have more fun. They're fast, sharp and they're not confined to the goal third (sorry, Goal Shooters). GAs embody everything that's so brilliant about the sport.  

While all positions in netball teach you to lead by putting the team first. Goal Attacks, in particular, focus on setting up the perfect shot and supporting the Goal Shooter with an encouraging "unlucky, you'll get it back!" when a shot misses.

There's no limit to what you'll do to hide your long nails from an umpire.

Every Saturday morning I'd look down at my uncut nails and consider the unthinkable — biting them down to size. It was either that or spontaneously developing double-jointed fingers if I was going to get them past the umpire.

Literally every netballer has the irresistible urge to show off a fresh mani whenever the season's over.

Everyone is welcome on the court.

Netball has this magical way of turning strangers into teammates at the blow of a whistle. And the best part? It's full of badass inspiring women, whether it's the lawyer next door who won her weekend mixed comp or your coach from high school who's basically a local hero.

Honestly, netball is like a universal translator — it doesn't care who you are or where you're from, as long as you're there to give it a good go.

No matter what, your teammates are always "here if you need".

When you join a netball team, you're joining a sisterhood. I remember dripping with sweat and rain at training sessions, coaching each other on how to speak to our crushes, comforting each other through break-ups and bad grades and that connection followed us off the court.

It's easy to see why netball is the sport of choice for Aussie women and girls. But over the last decade, more and more men and boys have been jumping on the court to see what the fuss is about. And with mixed and men's teams now at all levels, this brilliant game is only growing.

There's really no such thing as a non-contact sport.

Remember the dread of being partnered up with a Defender who stood so close all game you could feel their breath on your neck? Seriously girl, the ball is way down the other end, take a day off.

While straight-up tackling is out of the question, netballers know that by the time they leave the court, they're likely to be covered in someone else's arm sweat and we wear it like a badge of honour.

A ponytail to the face is par for the course.

Every netball girlie can cast their mind back to the visceral sensation of a long ponytail whipping across their face. It was always a bit wet at the ends too, which added a little something to the ordeal.

The court can turn the nicest girl into a warrior at the drop of a ball.

Every team had one. I remember playing with arguably one of the sweetest girls in school, who wouldn't even speak up if you had your chair on her jumper during science class. But as soon as she set foot on the court, watch out — once she activated beast mode, no one was getting a ball past her.

This transformation was kind of incredible to watch, and looking back, I can see how much the game brought out her confidence, boosted her self-worth and taught her skills she probably still uses today. 

Every team has one person that wants to be a coach.

Call them an on-court driver or a wannabe whistle holder, but every team has that one player who's convinced they'll be the coach one day.

They were simply passionate about making the team the best it could be, and who could fault them for that? Away from the courts, these were the people who made great leaders, and I believe being part of the netball community played a big role in that.

Ready to play? Visit the Netball Queensland website to find your local club and register.

Feature Image: Getty.

Queensland Firebirds season commences April 6 at Nissan Arena. Don't miss a minute of the Super Netball action!