THE Standard's readers and fans of netball have shown overwhelming support for the sport's inclusion on the Olympic program.
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Geelong AFL player Patrick Dangerfield sparked debate on social media on Saturday when he tweeted "still struggling to comprehend how 3-on-3 basketball gets a gig in the Olympics but netball hasn't..."
On Monday, south-west netball export Sarah Wall said the sport deserved to be part of the program.
The founder and CEO of NETFIT Netball said if the International Netball Federation - the sport's governing body - worked hard it could earn its spot.
The Standard's readers agree with her, with a resounding number of them echoing her thoughts on Facebook. "I can't believe skateboarding is an Olympic event and yet netball isn't," Steph Hughes wrote.
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Skateboarding made its debut at Tokyo Olympics this week alongside surfing, karate, softball, baseball and sports climbing. 3-on-3 basketball also made its debut in 2021.
Ellen Moloney said if netball could address its "massive gender imbalance" it would be a strong chance to be included for the Brisbane games in 2032.
"Until men's netball is played on the same scale as women's, it's not going to make it to the Olympic platform," she wrote.
"There is a lot of work to be done to get to that point, and the men's numbers are undeniably increasing, but the change needs to be made at all levels, including grassroots.
"Advertise and televise men's netball competitions, make club netball an option for young boys and teenagers, and the sport will have a solid chance of being added to the 2032 Olympic line up."
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
