Netball continues push for Olympic place

World Netball (WN) and Netball Australia (NA) met with Brisbane 2032 this week as they continue their pursuit for netball’s inclusion in the Olympics.

WN CEO Fiona Harold, along with NA CEO Stacey West and NA President Liz Ellis AO, met virtually with Brisbane 2032 CEO Cindy Hook and Director of Sport Brendan Keane.

The five leaders actively engaged in discussions regarding the potential inclusion of netball in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Speaking on the importance of the meeting, Harold said: “Following World Netball commissioning a feasibility study and consulting multiple stakeholders to ensure that bidding for inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games is in the best interests of the sport, meeting with Cindy and Brendan to understand the potential of netball’s inclusion in the Games was a hugely important next step for us.

“We believe netball's inclusion in the Olympics would greatly enhance the Olympic movement and have a significant impact on World Netball's three core strategies: to grow, to play, and to inspire.

“In line with World Netball’s Articles of Association, we will continue striving for Olympic inclusion, as long as it aligns with the long-term vision of our sport.”

Stacey West added: “Netball is the leading sport for women and girls in Australia, and our game is growing strongly into the men’s market and across the globe.

“Of course we want to play on the world's biggest sporting stage at the Olympics in our home country and we’re doing the work to see what’s possible.”

WN and NA are also continuing to have conversations with the International Olympic Committee and the Australian Olympic Committee.