Lyla Lindsey
Netball is the biggest team sport in Australia, with over 1.2 million men, women, and children playing the game across the country. It is the most popular women's team participation sport in Australia, with a recent increase in male participants as well. Australia has a rich history with the sport, with the country hosting the world's first international netball match in 1938, where Australia beat New Zealand 40-11.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of netball players in Australia in 1985 | 347,000 |
| Number of netball players in Australia in 1995 | 360,000 |
| Number of netball players in Australia in 2022 | 964,100 |
| Number of netball players in Australia in 2023 | 1,017,000 |
| Number of netball players in Australia in 2023 (estimate) | 700,000 |
| Number of male netball players in Australia | 115,000 |
| Number of female netball players in Australia | N/A |
| Number of netball clubs in Australia | N/A |
| Most common age group of netball players in Australia | 18-24 years old |
| Most common relationship status of netball players in Australia | Unmarried |
| Most common employment status of netball players in Australia | Full-time |
| Most common nationality of netball players in Australia | Australian-born |
| Number of netball players in Victoria's MLeague men's and mixed netball competition in 2022-23 season | 40 |
| Number of boys' teams in Netball NSW Schools Cup | 360 |
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What You'll Learn
Netball is the biggest team sport in Australia
Netball has been a part of Australia's sports culture for over a century, with the country hosting the world's first international netball match in 1938, against New Zealand, which they won 40-11. The sport has largely been a participation sport, with a relatively smaller spectator following. However, in recent years, netball has seen a growth in popularity, with the Suncorp Super Netball competition becoming the leading women's sporting league globally, attracting televised audiences of over 8 million.
The sport is particularly popular among girls and women, with netball being the number one participation sport for Australian girls. The typical netball player in Australia is an 18-24-year-old, unmarried, Australian-born, full-time employed woman. The sport is also enjoyed by people of various ages, abilities, and backgrounds, with a recent focus on improving access to the game for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Netball Australia has played a crucial role in fostering the sport's growth, connecting with local communities, and empowering women. The national squad, the Origin Diamonds, has had significant success, winning Commonwealth Games and World Cup championships, further elevating the sport's profile in the country.
With a rich history, a dedicated community, and a vibrant competitive scene, netball continues to thrive as Australia's biggest team sport.
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Netball Australia's role
Netball is the most popular women's team participation sport in Australia, with over 1.2 million players across the country. It is also the number one participation sport for Australian girls. Netball Australia's role is to foster this growth and development.
Netball Australia's mission is to see netball thrive in the country. They aim to connect with local communities, protect the reputation of the game, and empower women to shine. The organisation has a commitment to working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to improve access to netball. They also want to collaborate with disability and community groups to promote health and happiness among children.
Netball Australia hosts the annual Australian Netball Awards, which includes the Dr Eve Fesl First Nations Black Swans Award and the ANPA Heart of the Game Award. These awards recognise outstanding players who embody the spirit of the sport and demonstrate exceptional commitment, integrity, and cultural leadership.
Netball Australia also plays a crucial role in promoting and supporting the national netball team, the Origin Diamonds. The team has achieved remarkable success, becoming Commonwealth Games and World Cup champions, as well as being ranked as the official number one team in the world.
Additionally, Netball Australia has been instrumental in establishing and managing the Super Netball league, currently known as Suncorp Super Netball, as the country's premier women's sporting league. This league has attracted a televised audience of over 8 million, showcasing the power and appeal of female sport in Australia.
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The sport's history in Australia
The history of sports in Australia dates back to the pre-colonial period of the country. Sport arrived in Australia with the First Fleet in 1788, although physical survival was more important than recreation in the early decades of European settlement. The sports imported from Britain were based on a division between work and leisure, which was foreign to Aboriginal culture, where sports were linked with ritual and daily life. Aboriginal sporting traditions included wrestling, spear-throwing contests, sham fights, various types of football using possum-skin balls, spinning discs and stick games.
Sydney was the early hub of sport in the colony, with early forms of football being played there by 1829. Early sports in Australia were played along class lines, with the upper classes playing more regularly on Saturdays, and the lower classes playing on public holidays. By the 1830s, horse racing was established in New South Wales and other parts of the country, and enjoyed support across class lines. Gambling was part of horse racing from its inception as a sport in the colony. Cricket was also underway by the 1830s, with the Melbourne Cricket Club founded in 1838. Sport was used during the 1830s, 1840s and 1850s as a form of social integration across classes.
Regular sports competitions were organised in New South Wales by 1850, with organised competitions soon after in Queensland and Victoria. Victorian rules football (later known as Australian rules football) was codified in 1859. The Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia's largest sporting arena, opened in 1853, and the Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861. A rugby union team was established at the University of Sydney in 1864.
During the 1970s, Australia was routinely defeated in major international competitions as Eastern Bloc countries enjoyed strong government support for sports. In 1974, the Australian team qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country's history.
Netball, then called "women's basketball", was introduced to Australia as early as 1897, although most sources agree that it was established around the start of the 20th century. Interstate competition began in 1924, with the All-Australia Women's Basketball Association formed in 1927. An All-Australian Tournament, later called the Australian National Championships, was first contested between states in 1928, when it was won by Victoria. Today, netball is the biggest team sport in Australia, played by over 1.2 million men, women and children all over the country. It is also the number one participation sport for Australian girls.
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Spectator statistics
Netball is the most popular women's team participation sport in Australia, with over 1.2 million players. However, it has not become a large spectator sport. In 2005 and 2006, 56,100 people attended one or two netball matches, with 41,600 of them being women. The number of spectators decreased as the number of games attended increased: 46,200 people attended three to five netball matches, and 86,400 attended six or more matches. Overall, 188,800 people attended netball matches during this period, with 130,800 being female.
Netball's spectator numbers are relatively low compared to other sports in Australia. In 2005 and 2006, it was the tenth most popular spectator sport for women, with Australian rules football, horse racing, and rugby league attracting significantly more female spectators. The lack of spectator interest could be due to various factors, such as the sport's history, media coverage, or accessibility of venues.
To enhance spectator engagement, Netball Australia has taken several initiatives. They have focused on connecting with local communities, empowering women, and showcasing the sport's inclusivity and diversity. Additionally, they established the Super Netball league as the country's top league, featuring teams from various states and territories. The league has attracted televised audiences of over eight million, indicating a potential increase in spectator interest.
While netball has a strong participation base, with 80% of games played at netball clubs, the sport faces challenges due to the declining number of clubs since the 1940s. This decline may impact the accessibility of netball games for spectators, potentially affecting attendance rates. Despite these challenges, Netball Australia remains committed to fostering the sport's growth and improving access for all communities.
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The growth in male players
Netball is Australia's third most popular team sport, with one million players. While the sport has traditionally been played by women, there has been a significant increase in the number of male players in recent years. In 2022, about 115,400 men played netball, up from 64,300 in 2020. This growth in male participation is important for the future success of the sport, according to coaches and executives at Netball Queensland.
The increasing visibility of men's netball at higher levels is attracting more boys and young men to the sport. The inclusion of men's national teams from countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji in international competitions has raised the profile of men's netball. For example, the 2011 International Challenge Men's and Mixed Netball Tournament, organised by the Western Australian Men's and Mixed Netball Association, featured men's national teams from several countries. The Australian Championships in 2017 were also live-streamed for the first time, attracting nearly 140,000 viewers worldwide.
At the local level, the popularity of mixed-gender teams is a key factor in the growth of male participation. Organisations like Melbourne Social Netball have seen a significant increase in the number of mixed-gender teams, with female players bringing along male-identifying partners, friends, or family members. Urban Rec, another organiser of netball games, has 40% male participation among its players.
Netball Queensland general manager Glenn Dennis emphasised the importance of maintaining a safe space for women in netball while also growing the number of male players. He noted that as one of the few female-dominated sports, it is crucial to strike a balance between inclusion and ensuring an enjoyable environment for women.
The growth in male participation in netball challenges gender stereotypes and contributes to a more inclusive and diverse sporting culture in Australia. With more men and boys embracing the sport, netball is evolving beyond its traditional perception as solely a women's game.
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Frequently asked questions
Recent data released by the Australian Sports Commission, collected between July 2022 and June 2023, indicated that 1,017,000 people play netball in Australia. This is an increase of 5.5% from the previous year.
While netball is considered a sport for women, more than 115,000 men in Australia now play the sport. In fact, the number of men playing netball has almost doubled in two years.
Yes, netball is the biggest team sport in Australia, played by over 1.2 million people. It is also the most popular women's team participation sport in the country.
Netball has largely been a participation sport in Australia, rather than a spectator sport. In 2005 and 2006, it was the 10th most popular spectator sport for women.
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