‘Bite the bullet and sign’: Queensland netball club makes history signing male squad member

A semi-professional netball club has made history by becoming the first in its state to sign a male to its female side in a move that could shake up the sport in 2024. Hear from the player here

A semi-professional netball club in Queensland has made history by becoming the first in the state to sign a male training partner to its female side.

The Bond University Bull Sharks announced on Saturday Southport State High School teacher Glenn Ormesher would be joining the Sapphire Series ranks, the tier below Super Netball, in 2024.

Ormesher, a Queensland Suns athlete and South Coast School Sport coach, was offered the contract in November 2023 and commenced training with the squad immediately.

Glenn Ormesher announced by Bond Bull Sharks

“We had our high performance sessions, we’ve been in the gym with sport and exercise scientists and have been doing our pre-season strength training,” he said.

The Queensland representative has long been an advocate for men’s netball and is eager to start his journey with the Gold Coast club.

“I’m the first male to ever be signed by a (female) club and that’s incredible.”

Ormesher is aware Bond hope to sign a second male athlete, though steps are still being taken before he can be named.

“I’m the only one contracted at the moment but I believe there is another guy who is potentially coming on board,” Ormesher said.

The Queensland Suns will compete at the National Championships in April, after which Bond hope to reveal the athlete publicly.

A spokesperson from Netball Queensland said: “As far as I’m concerned, he will not be taking the court.”

There is nothing that explicitly states a male contractee cannot take the court, but Ormesher strongly believes he will not be seen under stage lights.

“Absolutely not,” he said.

“I’m just a training partner so there wouldn’t be any opportunity for me to get on the court.”
It is likely that Bond, and future HSS clubs who sign male athletes, will follow the same guidelines of Suncorp Super Netball.

Kim Ravaillion and Glenn Ormesher pose for photo. Credit: Netball Queensland

In Collingwood introduced male squad members in a training-only capacity, in which they completed all training sessions but were ineligible to take the court.

“Obviously I would love to, but we (men) want to have our own platform,” Ormesher said.

The firm stance comes with good reason.

“When I was in primary school playing with all girls and being left out, people would watch and point like ‘oh there’s a boy playing’.”

“I would rather the girls be the ones on show and for us to have our own Bond men’s team and HSS competition,” Ormesher said.

Queensland currently run a men’s competition called the M League, but athletes are left to pay their way for everything.

“We aren’t affiliated with any clubs and have to make our own singlets and what not.

Ormesher believes with the right support this year, an HSS men’s league could be possible for 2025.

“I think quite often there’s so much going on in the women’s realm that we’re on the side trying to fight our own battle.

“Obviously there’s a process for everything, we need to make sure it’s done right and done professionally.”

For now, he and his Suns will continue putting on top performances on the national stage and making the most of these history-making opportunities.

“It was actually pretty eye opening when we walked in … got given all this brand new New Balance gear like hats, water bottles, singlets, shorts and everything.

“They don’t necessarily take it for granted, they still appreciate everything,” he said.

Cailze Peo, Rueben Price, Leonard Price, Lachlan Carter, Haydn Crossley, Callum Brown and Jack Morton at Wakerley District Sports Park. Pics Tara Croser.

“I said to them at the end ‘ you don’t know how much we appreciate this,’ because it’s the first time we’ve actually felt like professional athletes.”

The news is an ironic full circle moment for the Bull Sharks, who in 2021 were caught in a whirlwind of fanatics after losing the Under-16 State Titles gold medal match to an all-boys side.

At the time competing teams were unaware the boys squad would be eligible for finals, as it was ultimately an event for Queensland squad selection.

Bond suffered a heavy defeat and subsequent uproar covered local headlines, labelling the result as unfair, unjust and undeserving.

The university however seems to have moved on from the event, and Ormesher believes the positive shift is clear from netball’s junior roots.

“Coming from a school’s perspective, there is definitely a lot less stigma towards boys playing netball,” he said.

“Quite often we’ll ask the kids what they want to play and a lot of the time they say netball.

“You don’t hear people talking about boys playing netball in a negative way.

Southport State High School Vicki Wilson cup boys division winners. Picture: Netball Queensland

“I don’t think the stigma is going to go away completely, not right now anyway, but it’s definitely getting better.”

Stigma or not, the high school teacher is certain of one thing: We will see more clubs following suit.

“Bond is really progressive and wants to make sure that they’re building the most professional program they can.

“Being inclusive is part of that progress too,” he said.

The Suns men’s team visited Bond twice during the 2023 for practice games.

Both occasions resulted in a win for the men, but ultimately benefited both sides.

“I think they realise the guys play so differently and it’s something they can take on board,” he said.

“These girls are fast, their change of direction is quick and we can definitely learn from each other.

“They’ve just been the ones who are confident enough to bite the bullet and sign someone.”

Originally published as ‘Bite the bullet and sign’: Queensland netball club makes history signing male squad member