Netball's new rules aim to make sport faster and more exciting for spectators

New rule changes have been brought in to make netball faster, more attacking and more attractive for spectators.

The changes come into effect from January 1, with the Australian Diamonds' three-Test tour of England the first matches to be played under the new guidelines.

Here are the key changes:

- Umpires no longer have to blow their whistle to indicate a goal has been scored, or when the ball has clearly gone out of court.

- If a player calls injury time, they must now leave the court within 30 seconds, and be substituted by another player, unless the team's primary carer indicates that more time is needed.

- Players can receive cautions and warnings, before being suspended from the game, or ordered off, depending on the severity of the offence.

- Attackers can now play advantage and take a free pass before a sanctioned defender moves aside.

- Centres need only one foot in the centre circle before restarting play.

- Goal tending will no longer be allowed. Players will not be able to deflect a shot once the ball is on a downward flight towards the ring, including touching the ball up through the net.

The rules were discussed by the International Netball Federation during August's World Cup in Sydney.

"The new rules aim to meet the changing needs of the game, reflect the modern forward looking sport of netball, improve players enjoyment of the game, create consistency in the interpretation of the rules across all world regions, and make the game more attractive to spectators," Netball Australia's head of strategy and development AnneMarie Phippard said.