Brisbane Olympics: Netball bosses hold talks for inclusion at the 2032 Games as push gathers steam

World Netball and Netball Australia bosses have held preliminary talks with Brisbane 2032 organisers, and revealed why they are working to achieve the dream of entering the Olympic Games.

World Netball and Netball Australia bosses have held preliminary talks with Brisbane 2032 organisers as the sport continues its push for inclusion in the Olympic Games.

While Cyclone Alfred ruined plans for World Netball (WN) chief executive Fiona Harold, Netball Australia (NA) CEO Stacey West and chair Liz Ellis to meet Brisbane 2032 boss Cindy Hook in person, the trio held a video hook-up to take the next step in their bid for inclusion in the world’s biggest multi-sport event.

With netball played by more than 23 million women in 100 countries around the world, the sport is a genuine global heavyweight and its officials are aggressively pushing its case for inclusion.

Discussions remain in the early stages and no decisions have been made around the format of the game or gender equity status of a formal bid, but netball bosses know they cannot afford to sit back and wait politely for an invitation to join the Olympics as other sports start to lobby publicly for inclusion.

Harold said the fact the Games were being held in Australia, where netball is played by more than a million people and is the leading sport for women and girls, only added weight to the argument.

Cara Koenen wins the ball ahead of New Zealand counterpart Karin Burger. Picture: Getty Images

“We all feel strongly that it would be a very difficult conversation to have in Australia with young girls in seven years’ time when they say why is netball not in the Olympic Games?” she said.

“I would struggle to explain that and as CEO of World Netball I don’t want the answer to be because World Netball didn’t try. That can’t be the answer for me.”

Certainly the sport has support in high places. As recently as this week, Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells, speaking on breakfast television, said netball was often raised when she quizzed schoolchildren on which sport should be added to the Brisbane program.

WN and NA announced in 2021 their commitment to exploring the potential for the sport to be included in the 2032 Games and Harold said it was in the sport’s articles of association that it push for Olympic inclusion.

Kate Moloney holds off New Zealand’s Mila Reuelu-Buchanan. Picture: Getty Images for England Netball

A feasibility study was handed to the world body last November and Harold had a call with Brisbane officials in January before this month’s meeting was organised.

“I was very disappointed when Cyclone Alfred put paid to that because I was meant to be flying into Brisbane on the Monday for the meeting,” Harold said.

“So we had the call instead. (Brisbane 2032 officials) have been very welcoming, they are going through a process with all IF (International Federations) both core sports and those that may wish to strive for additional inclusion.”

The Courier-Mail revealed earlier this week that the IOC had been forced to relax its usual seven-year deadline for the in-principle core sports program to be agreed, with Brisbane needing an extension of another year so organisers could review and validate critical sporting infrastructure projects.

Next steps and timelines remain slightly blurry given the IOC’s election of a new president this week and Brisbane’s extension, but Harold and NA officials are working towards a decision being made on additional sports in 2026.

“Obviously behind the scenes, all the sports that want to strive for additional inclusion will be working on applications, campaigns etc, so that is not going to slow us down,” she said of work on a formal submission.

Key questions remain unanswered though, with the format to be pushed - be it the traditional seven-a-side game or condensed Fast5 version - and whether gender equity is required, still not set in cement.

Australia’s Riley Richardson receives a pass during a Kelpies’ clash with New Zealand. THeir success is proof men’s netball is on the rise. Picture: Getty Images

“That is the burning question I think, which we are trying to get to the bottom of,” Harold said of gender equity.

“While … we all know what the IOC’s policy is across the Games as a whole (gender equity), I think it is still working through is there an opportunity to have a female-only offering but be on a journey to make sure that the following iteration of the Games would be a mixed product,” Harold said.

Olympic inclusion in Brisbane would be a coup for the sport globally but cap a massive period in Australia, which will also host the next World Cup in Sydney in 2027.

Paige Hadley in possession for the Diamonds during a game against England. Picture: Getty Images

And West said the sport would be ready - and not just from a competitive point of view.

“Netball happens every day in every part of this country,” West said.

“We are more than just on the court. Netball has been based on volunteerism and we’ve always been able to make things happen as a code in this country, so I think you’ll find our submission will be both netball focused, but also legacy focused and also resource focused - we can help these Games be delivered incredibly well.”

The benefits and ripple effects for netball are many and varied.

Local and global participation growth, engagement of new and existing audiences and commercial partners are among them.

But at the “heart of it is the athlete”, Harold said.

“What athlete wouldn’t want to be on the Olympic stage in my view, in any sport.

“I think any athlete who has put their heart and soul into becoming an elite sports man or woman should get that opportunity and so I think for netballers it would be the ultimate.”

Originally published as Brisbane Olympics: Netball bosses hold talks for inclusion at the 2032 Games as push gathers steam