Netball’s ambitious bid to compete in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics may be rejected as the sport is not inclusive enough due to not enough men participating.
The sport faces a major hurdle after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suggested there are concerns about the popularity of the sport outside the Commonwealth of Nations, as well as the lack of male involvement in the game.
The IOC’s Agenda 2020 lists new quotas, capping the Games at 10,500 athletes and aiming for an overall female participation of 50 percent.
While the latter shouldn’t be a problem for netball, the sport’s heavily Commonwealth-based appeal will come under scrutiny.
Netball’s inclusion would also depend on a greater commitment to the men’s side of the game, which is still a relatively small niche within the sport.
This may include creating separate men’s and women’s divisions. However, this would require the IOC to consider whether international competition is sufficient to host a men’s netball event, and whether the athlete’s cap is suitable for it.
Netball has long been known as a women’s sport played by the Australian Diamonds, which has raised concerns for the IOC along with a lack of representation outside Commonwealth countries
Australia’s Sonix is the men’s national team and they hope the sport will have an Olympic debut in Brisbane in 2032.
Netball Australia has made progress in promoting the men’s game over the past year, with several men’s tests staged as double headers alongside women’s matches at both the trans-Tasman Constellation Cup and England Roses series in 2021.
Several Super Korfball clubs also signed official training partners for men for 2023 and are doing more to promote their profile.
Male players have often helped prepare elite female teams during their pre-season and weekly training sessions, but behind the scenes, it was done in a quiet capacity.
However, this may not be enough to convince the IOC to include netball in the Olympic program.
Netball’s popularity has grown globally, with more countries embracing the game and increasing their competitiveness.
The game has seen increasing male interest and participation in some countries, particularly Australia and New Zealand.
This has led some observers to suggest that a mixed Fast5 event, with five players on each side and modified rules, could be considered.
The Fast5 format is shorter, with power plays and super shots, and may help address some of the IOC’s concerns about the athlete’s cap.
Taylor Glassi is one of the proud members of the Australian men’s netball team, but there is still a lack of public awareness that men’s netball even exists
Men playing against women in New Zealand as seen in the Cadbury Netball Series match between New Zealand Silver Ferns and New Zealand men at Pulman Arena in 2022
The England team sing the national anthem for the men’s netball match between the Australia Sonix and the England Thorns at Qudos Bank Arena in 2022
Despite these challenges, Australian captain Dylan Nexhip is optimistic about netball’s chances at the Brisbane Olympics.
He thinks the increasing popularity of the sport, especially among men, is a good sign. He also suggests that the IOC may be looking to more progressive sports and formats, making the inclusion of netball more likely.
“Jamaica has a men’s team, they have a series with England next year and some African countries also have men’s teams in places like Uganda, Malawi, Kenya and South Africa,” he said.
“Even in Asia, for example, we brought over Singapore last month and play in our Australian men’s reserve division and mixed netball championships, there are traces all over the world.
“Fiji is another, in any country where netball is a major sport for women – especially Commonwealth countries – most of them would have a men’s team, it’s just not widely known.”