Crossword Genius

Something thrown up in the air, caught by little girl (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

netball

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'something thrown up in' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'air caught by little girl' is the wordplay.
'air' becomes 'tba' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'caught by' is an insertion indicator.
'little girl' becomes 'nell' (I've seen this in another clue).
'tba' going inside 'nell' is 'NETBALL'.

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for netball that I've seen before include "Team game, played mainly by women" , "Team sport" , "After this, you get to serve again" , "Seven-a-side team game -- all bent (anag)" , "activity no longer associated solely with girls" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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