Eboni Beckford-Chambers welcomes netball rule changes
Sunday 6 December 2015 14:27, UK
Team Bath and England defender Eboni Beckford-Chambers believes netball's new rules are a positive step for the game.
The International Netball Federation confirmed the changes earlier this week, as they look to make the sport faster, more attacking and more attractive for spectators.
And Team Bath's new captain is looking forward to playing under the new guidelines.
"Some of the rule changes are really positive and will help the flow of the play," said Beckford-Chambers. "I think it's a good thing because it's bringing the sport in line with the 21st Century as the game has evolved.
"Until you try it, you don't really know how it's going to work, but we're embracing the rule changes and let's see where we get to."
"The umpires have come round and spoken with our players, so that's been very useful."
The changes will first come into effect for the Australian Diamonds' three-Test tour of England, which gets underway in Liverpool from January 20.
Among the changes, attackers can now play advantage and take a free pass before a sanctioned defender moves aside.
And Beckford-Chambers knows she'll have to adapt quickly against the World No 1 team when the two sides meet.
"I'll have to be more alert as it'll definitely quicken the game up," added the England international. "As defenders, you're really going to have to be on your toes and confidently focus on where the ball's coming in from on court"
Beckford-Chambers re-joined Bath last month after spending the last four years playing in the ANZ Championship for Perth's West Coast Fever and the Adelaide Thunderbirds and was immediately handed the new captaincy.
Team Bath's 2016 Superleague season gets underway against current champions Surrey Storm as part of the Super Saturday weekend on January 30.
And Beckford-Chambers believes the domestic game in England is closing the gap on their Australian counterparts for attracting the world's best players.
"It's obviously a real incentive and advantage to play against players who play for the world's No 1 and 2 sides week in week out," said Beckford-Chambers on her time in the ANZ Championship.
"But if you look at the Superleague this year, we've attracted so much international talent.
"It shows the league is really appealing for other international players to come and play in. It's really varied in terms of styles for these imports so I think it's going to be a really exciting year."
