Custom Netball Post Protectors: Branding Your School or Club Colours

A netball post protector does two jobs at once: it cushions a hard metal post, and it puts your school or club's name and colours on the court. Branding it turns a safety item into something players, parents and visiting teams will notice.

This guide explains why protectors matter, what you can customise, and what to check before you order, so your next season starts with the right kit already in place.

Why netball posts need protection

Netball is a fast, close-contact game played around a fixed steel or aluminium post, and players regularly run, jump and turn within a step or two of it. Goal shooters, goal attacks and the defenders marking them spend most of the match in the circle, right beside the post.

A padded protector reduces the force of an accidental collision, whether that is a shoulder, a head or a hand against the post during a rebound or a loose ball. It cannot make a collision harmless, but it gives a hard surface some give.

For schools there is an added reason. PE staff have a duty of care, and padding on courts used by mixed ages, from Year 3 beginners to Year 11 teams, is a simple and visible control to include in your risk assessment. Check your own policy, insurer and governing body guidance for what is required or recommended for your setting.

Why go custom

A plain protector does the safety job. A custom one does that and doubles as a branded asset for your school or club.

• Identity. Your colours and crest on court say "this is our ground" at fixtures, tournaments and open days.
• Visibility. Padded posts sit at eye level in match photos and social media posts, so your branding gets seen well beyond the court.
• Sponsors. Clubs can feature a sponsor's logo on the protector, which gives local businesses something visible for their support.
• Consistency. Protectors that match your kit and facilities look more organised than mixed, faded standard colours.

Design options

Our protectors are fully digitally printed, so any print design is possible and any colour is available. The best designs are still simple, because a post is narrow and is read from a distance, often at an angle.

• Colours. Match your school or club palette. Strong contrast between the pad colour and the lettering matters more than using every brand colour. We may ask for Pantone references so the printed colour matches your brand.
• Logo or crest. Send vector artwork if you have it. Fine detail and thin lines tend to disappear at post width, so a simplified version of a crest often works best.
• Lettering. Short names or initials in bold type read better than full names. Stack text vertically only if it stays legible.
• Placement. Most designs put the main branding at or just above eye level for players and spectators, with a plain band above or below.
• Sponsor panels. If you plan to include a sponsor, agree the layout early so the sponsor logo does not crowd your own.

Example designs

Here are four example mock-ups showing how colours, crests and lettering can work on a protector. Yours will be designed around your own branding.

What to check before you order

Getting the fit and specification right matters more than the artwork. Check these before you place an order:

1. Post diameter. Our protectors come in three sizes to fit post diameters of 50mm, 65mm and 80mm. Measure your post across its diameter so the protector fits snugly.
2. Protector height. The standard height is 3.05m (10 ft), suitable for regulation senior posts. On request, and at no extra charge, we can make them 8 ft tall, so one pair can serve both senior and junior post heights. For reference, the adult ring height is 3.05m, High 5 (ages 9 to 11) uses 2.75m, and First Step (ages 7 to 9) uses 2.44m.
3. Number of courts. Protectors are sold as a pair, which covers the two posts on one court.
4. Indoor or outdoor use. Our Netball Post Protectors are suitable for indoor and outdoor netball posts and courts.
5. Logo file format. The printers need your logo as an official, proprietary EPS file, ideally with Pantone colours. A file simply converted from a JPEG or bitmap to EPS is not suitable. If you cannot supply a correct EPS, there is a £25 plus VAT set-up charge for us to produce one.

Prices include free shipping. Check the product page for current pricing.

How ordering works

Custom orders take longer than off-the-shelf ones, so start early. The process looks like this:

1. Request a free mock-up. Email us at sales@martinberrillsports.com a copy of your logo and your colour preferences, and we will provide realistic artwork showing how your protectors will look.
2. Confirm your artwork. We may ask for high-resolution images or EPS files of your logo, plus Pantone colours, so the finished protector matches your requirements exactly.
3. Approve and order. Once you are happy with the design, place your order and approve the artwork.
4. Made to order. Each pair is manufactured specifically for you. The lead time from receipt of your order and approval of artwork is approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

The most common cause of delay is late artwork, so gather your files and agree who approves the design before you start. Work back from the date you need them on court, and allow time for the mock-up as well as the approximate 4 to 6 week production lead time.

Frequently asked questions

Will protectors fit our posts? They are made for post diameters of 50mm, 65mm and 80mm. Measure your post diameter, and if you are unsure, get in touch before you order.

Can we order a single protector or a small quantity? Protectors are sold as a pair (two protectors, enough for one court), and one pair is the minimum order.

Is delivery included? Yes, the listed price includes free shipping.

Can we add a sponsor logo? Any print design is possible, so yes. Send both logos and tell us which should be more prominent, and we will include it in the mock-up.

What if we only have a JPEG of our logo? We can produce the correct EPS file for a £25 plus VAT set-up charge.

Can we reorder the same design later? Yes, of course. We always hold on to artwork, so it's easy to order again.

Ready to brand your courts?

Martin Berrill Sports are school sports specialists, and we can help you choose the right protectors for your courts. See the full details and sizes on our Gilbert Custom Printed Netball Post Protectors (Pair) page, then send us your logo and colour preferences for a free mock-up.

Looking for more for your courts? Browse our full range of netball equipment, including balls, posts and accessories.