Men’s netball on the rise as ‘netty fever’ takes over

Netball has emerged as one of the fastest growing men’s sports in Australia, thanks to a trailblazing national team and a code that’s open to change.

Men are ditching the footy field and taking to the court with netball emerging as one of the fastest growing men’s sports in Australia.

The number of boys and men catching “netty fever” increased by 20 per cent last year in NSW, jumping again by a further 10 per cent this year, as thousands sign up for school teams, mixed competitions and representative squads across the state.

Netball is the third most popular team sport in the country boasting more than one million players, but ‘boys and men’ is its fastest growing sector with 62,398 men and 14,402 boys under 14 playing netball in 2024, according to the latest AusPlay data.

More men play netball than baseball, hockey and rugby union while more boys put on a bib than pick up a hockey stick.

The rapid rise of the men’s national netball team, known as the Kelpies, has spurred an explosion in interest.

The Kelpies, previously known as the Sonix, are the No.1 team in the world and went viral last year after they performed a pre-match dance routine to NSYNC’s classic hit Bye Bye Bye at the world champions

Kelpies captain and NSW Swifts assistant coach Dylan Nexhip, 34, said visibility on the international scene has made leaps and bounds for participation.

Netball Kelpies netball team captain Dylan Nexhip (second from right) and teammates Joe Miller Liam Forcadilla and Jack Vandervald are happy to be part of Australia fastest growing mens sport. Picture Thomas Lisson

“Beside the sport being great fun to play, the last three or so years have had great international exposure for the Kelpies showcasing there’s an opportunity to play netball at the top level, which has given boys at the grassroots level something to aim for,” Mr Nexhip said.

“Netball is an incredible sport that’s so inclusive, it’s a sport for everyone.”

Dylan Nexhip said netball was “a sport for everyone”. Picture Thomas Lisson

Boys were previously only allowed to play in netball competitions until the age of 12, but the recommendation two years ago to throw out the age limit has opened up casual and elite opportunities, driving the sports’ recent boom.

Since removing this barrier, male divisions have become part of the NSW Netball state titles, Hart Senior State Titles and Netball NSW Schools Cup for Years 7 to 10, which has exploded in popularity with 3600 boys participating in the last two years.

World Netball has also announced the first men’s World Cup tournament for 2028, with campaigners pushing for inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

Netball NSW executive general manager of community Trish Crews said men are being drawn to the sport due its fast pace, physicality and team-orientated game play.

“The Kelpies have played a big part – you can’t be what you can’t see – but and men and boys are also realising what an incredible team sport it is, plus they’ve been sitting on the sidelines watching their wives, girlfriends, sisters and mums play and now they are realising just how fun it can be.”
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