What do we say?

Olympic Status matters to our sport as it would increase the visibility of our great game to a world of new people and increase participation and engagement.

It is such a great team sport, primarily for women and girls, thus improving the status of women and girls in Olympic and World Sport.

Being a sports fan I am so looking forward to watching the Olympics this summer, the only thing missing for me is Netball… Why no Netball!?

In an era where netball is flourishing and we are seeing the game grow, with athletes pushing themselves to the edge of physical boundaries, the excitement in the international game couldn’t be higher. I feel this should be rewarded on the world sporting stage.

If it was an Olympic sport, it could really raise our profile and the visibility it brings would showcase our great sport and the athletes & coaches within.

Netball embodies the core values of the Olympics: teamwork, inclusivity, and competitiveness. Having netball in the Olympics would significantly increase the sport’s visibility and encourage global participation. However, for netball to be accepted, it needs to include both men’s and women’s competitions.

Women’s netball is already internationally recognised and world-class. However, as the Olympics require sports to be played by both men and women, we have been working hard to ensure the growth and exposure of men’s netball globally.

This year, our U23 England Trailblazers will compete in Singapore in December against international teams from Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Additionally, the England Open Men’s team, the Thorns, will play in the Netball Americas Men’s Netball Championship, featuring ten international men’s teams from the Americas and England as an invited guest. The participating teams include Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States of America.

These events are key to growing the sport globally and gaining the exposure required.

Ideally, I would like to see traditional netball in the Olympics, with both women’s and men’s teams competing in parallel competitions. However, if netball has to adapt to gain entry, it is in a very good position to do so.

Mixed netball, with its competitive and highly entertaining nature, could be a great option. Mixed competitions were well received at the previous Olympics, showcasing the unique strengths and skills of all genders. The rules and style of play mean that mixed-gender teams bring different strengths and skills, creating a balanced and exciting sporting event. Fast5 netball, a shorter and faster version of the game, could also be considered.

I am committed to doing everything we can to get netball into the Olympics. The decisions for 2032 are not as far away as we think, so the work needs to start now. I fully support the journey towards this goal, as it will not only increase the exposure of our sport but also have a significant and positive impact on global participation.

“Is Netball an Olympic sport?” As a Netball presenter and commentator, I get asked that question a lot. Many people assume it must be and considering the popularity of the sport and its familiarity to both men and women in the UK, it’s so strange to have to say that, at the moment, it actually isn’t.

Netball is a fast-paced, dynamic, smart, hugely competitive team sport. It’s female led which is a huge plus, but is also played by mens and mixed teams across the world. It’s a sport people can play all their lives and at a range of levels.

It should be in the Olympics because, as we’ve seen at World Cup and Commonwealth Games, it’s played in an exciting format that’s inclusive and accessible. It’s also a brilliant spectator sport.

Being in the Olympics would be brilliant for Netball to showcase elite athletes on the world stage, offer inspiration from grassroots upwards and proudly lead the way for female-led sport worldwide.

This summer, when many women, men, girls and boys who play netball week-in, week-out watch the sporting action in Paris, we think they will ask why netball is not one of the sports being played.

We think it’s time that changed. We understand why netball has been turned down by the International Olympic Committee in the past, but we hope they know recognise that more people from all ages, genders and countries are competing, and they deserve to be able to aspire to be Olympians and compete for Gold in Australia in 2032.

I hope the strength of feeling our poll and this campaign demonstrates means we can get our game to The Games.