Net Gains: The key advice Federal Government has for netball to push for 2032 Olympic inclusion
Netball harbours ambitions to become an Olympic sport, but Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells has one key piece of advice for the sport if they want to get a start at Brisbane 2032.
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Netball is not an Olympic sport but don’t count it out of the running for the Brisbane Games just yet.
Netball Australia, along with World Netball, announced last year the sport would be making a push to be included in the 2032 Olympics.
It faces an uphill battle, especially given the dearth of boys and men playing the sport, because any addition to the program needs gender equity.
That battle aside, it would be a popular choice.
Announcing a $6 million funding injection for the 2027 Netball World Cup, Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells said last week the sport would be a popular addition for 2032.
“When wearing my Brisbane 2032 organising committee hat, I ask every school I go to what sport should we select for Brisbane 2032 as Australia’s sport, and it’s always netball, that is always the answer,” Wells said.
“Though a hot tip, if that’s to happen, we need more boys to play.
“So more Australian lads need to saddle up for netball for us to be able to do that in 2032.”
It’s a nice thought but unlikely to happen.
While New Zealand, and Australia’s national team the Kelpies, are competitive, few other countries are competing at the international level and those that are – for example, South Africa and England – are not at the same level and the disparity of any new nations would be stark.
Encouraging more boys to play should remain a priority, though, and with concussion a burning issue for parents, netball could be a pathway for their sporting sons as well as daughters.
STUNNING DRESS FOR BLACK SWANS
The Black Swans, Australia’s First Nations side, will make their debut this week during the Pacific Netball Series in Brisbane wearing a dress featuring the artwork “Gaagulu” created by Yuwaalaraay wirringgaa artist Lucy Simpson.
Netball Australia has moved to address the stark underrepresentation of Indigenous players at elite levels of the game by naming its inaugural First Nations national invitational team, which will wear a dress featuring artwork that embodies the significance of its debut.
“This design was created in honour of the inaugural First Nations national netball team and is dedicated to all the little girls out there playing their hearts out in communities across the country,” Simpson said.
“The Gaagulu design symbolises and embodies a uniquely Australian story, one born of country, and one of beauty; a continuing story woven into, supported within, and nurtured by community.
“Many lessons are held within the story of Gaagulu, one which speaks of the importance of relationships, as well as narratives of resilience and triumph through adversity.”
The Black Swans will play their opening game of the Pacific Netball Series against Tonga on Monday night at Nissan Arena.
All matches will be streamed live and on-demand to Australian and International audiences via NetballPass.
Super Netball’s First Nations Round carries such special significance for Donnell Wallam. She spoke to @EmmaGreenwood12 about what wearing her Queensland Firebirds’ dress this weekend means to her as a proud Noongar woman.
— CODE Netball (@CodeNetball) May 24, 2024
MORE â–¶ï¸ https://t.co/w7DjD2Y4Mypic.twitter.com/UBGIefLWWp
PACIFIC FUNDING CONTINUES
The Australian Government and Netball Australia will continue to be partners in the soft diplomacy program PacificAus Sports to support the development of high-performance netball throughout the Pacific.
The new four-year partnership, which will enhance pathways to elite competition for Pacific netballers, was announced on Sunday, just a day ahead of the annual Pacific Netball Series.
This year, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga will play against the Black Swans in Brisbane.
Through athlete immersion programs and high-performance workshops, PacificAus Sports supports the development of local coaches and match officials.
Australian teams will spend time in the Pacific playing matches, supporting local player development and engaging with local communities.
The success of the partnership, which began in 2021, is evidenced by the growth of Tonga’s national team.
It has gone from unranked to among the top 10 netball nations in the world, highlighting the skills, talent, athleticism and potential of Pacific netballers.
Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, said netball was an example of the many passions that Australia and the Pacific share.
“The Australian Government is proud to further build on our partnership with Netball Australia through PacificAus Sports, to support the development of high-performance netball throughout the Pacific, and empower the next generation of women and girls to pursue their sporting dreams,” Conroy said.
NA boss Stacey West said netball was thrilled to extend its partnership with the Federal Government to build on the strong relationship with Pacific nations.
“The PacificAus Sports initiatives have had a significant impact across the duration of this partnership, pivotally in this year’s athlete immersion program, First Nations coaching workshop in Fiji, and the upcoming Pacific Netball Series which begins this week,” West said.
GIANTS FIGHT CONTINUES
The Giants’ finals campaign still has a faint pulse after they won the battle of the Super Netball cellar dwellers on Sunday afternoon.
The shaky form of several sides this season, including pre-season favourites the Sunshine Coast Lightning and NSW Swifts, meant that the winner of the match between the Giants and Queensland Firebirds – who were anchored at the bottom of the competition ladder heading into round 9 with just two wins each – still had a glimmer of hope to make finals.
The Lightning maintained its hold on fourth place and moved a win ahead of the Swifts after winning their clash at a sold-out Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday.
The Adelaide Thunderbirds narrowed the gap on competition leader West Coast after inflicting the Fever’s biggest loss in several years.
The Vixens can take the outright competition lead with a win over the Mavericks in the Melbourne derby on Monday afternoon, while victory for the newbies would give them a share of fourth, level on points with the Swifts.
The Giants are just a game back with three wins, while the Firebirds sit alone at the bottom of the ladder.
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Originally published as Net Gains: The key advice Federal Government has for netball to push for 2032 Olympic inclusion
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