Last week NSW Swifts coach Briony Akle wrote a piece for Player’s Voice which has received plenty of media attention this week.
In the article, Briony acknowledges what many of us already know: when it comes to women’s sport, netball has been a leader for many years.
For decades netball has been developing pathways for women and girls to play, giving plenty of young women the opportunity to compete at an elite level domestically and also represent Australia on the world stage in world cups and at the Commonwealth Games as part of one of the country’s most successful sporting teams, the Diamonds.
More significantly, because netball is a sport whose numbers are dominated by women, elite-level netball is well ahead of its competitors in thinking about issues like pregnancy and child care, with new provisions included in the most recent iteration of the Suncorp Super Netball collective bargaining agreement including a maternity leave scheme.
I would argue that the inclusion of these provisions has also pushed other sports to begin having these sorts of conversations with its athletes.
However, some have taken aim at Briony for comments she has made about other women’s sports.
“The women’s competitions which have grown rapidly in recent years have a long way to go to match the system netball has created over a very long period of time,” Akle wrote, suggesting that while some of the newer elite competitions for women like the AFLW and WBBL have had rapid success, they may not have the well-established and entrenched pathways that netball has.
It may look like Briony criticised other sports, but I think her intention was to highlight to the administrators, leaders and fans of netball advocating for their sport.
Briony has touched on a key point, which is the need for netball to do a better job at tooting its own horn so that it continues to grow and compete against some of these other codes, many of which have more funding and resources than netball does.
Australia’s national netball team, the Diamonds, are preparing for a World Cup in 2019. (Photo by Renee McKay/Getty Images)
Fortunately netball has a very good story to share.
Netball is the most popular sport in Australia for girls and it is the most popular team sport for girls.
In 2017 almost 15 per cent of girls under the age of 15 played netball. Additionally, almost 31 per cent of girls aged between 12 and 14 play netball.
This means that while other sports are in the process of building pathways and ensuring that girls have the opportunity to play their sport between the ages of 12 and 18, netball’s pathways are already there and producing outstanding players.
Briony calls out one of these players, Paige Hadley, in her article.
Paige’s first opportunity for representative honours came in 2004, when she was selected in a local representative side for the state age championships.
After four years at that level she played a year of state league and the following year represented New South Wales for the first time, playing at the under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels.
Many of you know how the story ends, with Paige continuing to develop as an elite player, representing the Swifts and recently being added to the Diamonds squad in a World Cup year.
As well as exceptional pathways, netball also has an exceptional domestic competition which is set to begin in just over a week.
Super Netball begins its third season this year, and for those of you who have never been to a game, I encourage you to do so.
The competition is fast and entertaining and the clubs have all worked hard to produce an exceptional match-day experience.
Some of the best players in the world compete in this league, including Kim Green, Jo Harten, Caitlin Bassett, Geva Mentor and Romelda Aiken.
Caitlin Bassett in action for the Diamonds. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
And with the Diamonds set to travel to Liverpool to compete in the World Cup this year, I’m confident we will see the competition rise to a new level.
I applaud Briony for her commitment to the sport she loves so much and for pushing its participants to advocate for their game, particularly in such an important year for the competition.
A new collective bargaining agreement is also due before the 2020 season.
Plus, with the broadcast deal expiring at the end of the 2021 campaign, the numbers on television will be crucial over the next three seasons.
Over the past few years we have seen heroines emerge in the women’s sport space – the likes of Tayla Harris in the AFLW, Ali Brigginshaw in the NRLW, Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy in the WBBL and Sam Kerr for the Matildas.
My hope is that we see a similar heroine emerge for netball this year.
Fortunately for the sport, they have plenty of talented women who can help propel the game to new levels.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
I actually find it odd that Super Netball isn't mentioned more as a leader in women's professional sport. Especially considering it's one that many of the naysayers of the likes of the WBBL and AFLW tend not to have issues with (I'll leave the why of that reasoning hanging out there). It somewhat feels like it has been overshadowed by the likes of the two above. Though last season say an avg of 140k a game watching for more the 6.7m for the season and more than 1m tuning in for Grand Final suggests it's certainly holding it's own.
Nick
Guest
There have been many netball "heroines", although I don't see why this word is used for a sportsperson, in the past. I remember Kath Harby,Anne Seargant, Michelle Den Dekker Sharelle McMahon, Liz Ellis and this was in the era of Australian dominance and not much tv coverage.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I reckon that Netball Australia sets the standard as to how to build women’s sport in this country. They have just gotten on with the job of building a professional sport for women, by women, rather than constantly dwelling on gender issues as is the case elsewhere. That is something that I will earn them a great deal of respect. I also really enjoy the game now that it is on TV, the players are so fit and skillful, the rules really promote teamwork and there is a friendly and positive ethos off the field. I’m looking forward to the start of the season next weekend.
Simoc
Guest
Nice article but while Netball has been so dominant in Australia and New Zealand, for the game to grow other nations need to do well. Finally England had success which brings headlines, interest and growth to the game. In the UK and the West Indies teams play at a high standard. If our players were to travel and play in other countries leagues, in the long term that is better for netball and female sport. But it's a long term process. I know the game quite well as my first primary school teacher was an international referee and took the whole school class along to watch while she was reffing Aust vs NZ. And it was Hagley Park, just along from where international cricket games are played now. Super netball is great.