How is a bench player defined in netball?

A bench player in netball is defined as a player who is on the team bench at a given time during a match. This definition encapsulates the role of bench players as those not currently engaged in active play on the court, but who are part of the team and can be substituted into the game at any moment to replace players already on the court. Being on the bench indicates readiness to participate while not directly involved in the current match action.

The other options describe roles or states of players that do not align with the precise definition of a bench player. A player actively participating in the game, for instance, does not qualify as a bench player. Similarly, a player who is injured is in a different category, as their inability to play is due to physical limitations rather than a strategic choice made by the coach. Furthermore, a player being replaced during the match can apply to players who may move to the bench but does not specifically define someone who is simply seated on the bench at that time.