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| olympic = IOC-recognised, 1995
  
| olympic = IOC-recognised, 1995
 
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[[Netball]] is an team sport. It has never been played at the [[Summer Olympics]], but its sport federation (like that of contract bridge and certain motor sports) has been recognized by the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC). When the sport gained recognition, it opened up sources of funds that the global netball community had not been able to access before, including IOC, national Olympic committees and sports organisations, and state and federal governments. Because women's basketball is played in the Summer Olympics, the long-term prospects of including a similar sport is not good.
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[[Netball]] has never been played at the [[Summer Olympics|Olympics]], but its sport federation has been recognized by the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC). When the sport gained recognition, it opened up sources of funds that the global netball community had not been able to access before, including IOC, national Olympic committees and sports organisations, and state and federal governments.
   
 
==Women's sport at the Olympics==
  
==Women's sport at the Olympics==
 
{{See also|Women's sport at the Olympics}}
  
{{See also|Women's sport at the Olympics}}
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{{Quote box
⚫
According to Dyer in 1982, exclusion of netball from the [[Summer Olympics]] is part of the historical pattern of the slow growth and gradual acceptance of women's sports.<ref name=Dyer-205>{{harvnb|Dyer|1982|p=205}}</ref> Women first competed in the [[1900 Summer Olympics]] in only three sports: [[tennis]], [[croquet]] and [[golf]].<ref name="Time"/> Women's cycling was excluded for many years despite having world championships organised by 1958.<ref name=Dyer-205/> [[Field hockey]], a sport included for men as early as 1908, was not open to competition by women until 1980.<ref name=Dyer-205/> By the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] in [[Barcelona]], there were 159 medal events for men, but only 86 for women, and 12 for both men and women,<ref name=pfistertews-274>{{harvnb|Pfister|Hartmann-Tews|2002|p=274}}</ref> and as late as 1996, 26 countries sent no women to the Olympics.<ref name="Time"/> There were still sports that excluded women at the [[2000 Summer Olympics]], such as [[boxing]], [[wrestling]] and [[baseball]].<ref name=pfistertews-274/>{{#tag:ref |In 2012, [[Women's Boxing]] was added to the Olympic programme resulting in women's participation in all sports.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://corporate.olympics.com.au/sports |publisher=[[Australian Olympic Committee]] |title=Olympic Sports |deadurl=no |accessdate=18 August 2012}}</ref>|group="note"}} At the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], every country but Nauru did, and both men and women competed in 34 sports.<ref name="Time">{{cite news |newspaper=[[Time (magazine)]] |date=20 August 2012 |title=Wonder Women |last=Saporito |first=Bill }}</ref> In 1976, basketball was extended to include both teams for men and women. This move was in response to critics who sought gender equity.
  
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|align=right
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|width=35%
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|quote=We know we can't compete against football and rugby but to have more recognition and insight into the sport would be great
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|source=Geva Mentor, England goal defence<ref name=bbc-2011>{{harvnb|BBC|2011}}</ref>
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}}
  ⚫
According to Dyer in 1982, exclusion of netball from the [[Summer Olympics]] is part of the historical pattern of the slow growth and gradual acceptance of women's sports.<ref name=Dyer-205>{{harvnb|Dyer|1982|p=205}}</ref> Women first competed in the [[1900 Summer Olympics]] in three sports: [[tennis]], [[croquet]] and [[golf]].<ref name="Time"/> Women's cycling was excluded for many years despite{{clarify|date=January 2013}} having world championships organised by 1958.<ref name=Dyer-205/> [[Field hockey]], a sport included for men from 1908, was not open to competition by women until 1980.<ref name=Dyer-205/> By the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] in [[Barcelona]], there were 159 medal events for men, but 86 for women, and 12 for both men and women,<ref name=pfistertews-274>{{harvnb|Pfister|Hartmann-Tews|2002|p=274}}</ref> and as late as 1996, 26 countries sent no women to the Olympics.<ref name="Time"/> There were still sports that excluded women at the [[2000 Summer Olympics]], such as [[boxing]], [[wrestling]] and [[baseball]].<ref name=pfistertews-274/>{{#tag:ref |In 2012, [[Women's Boxing]] was added to the Olympic programme resulting in women's participation in all sports.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://corporate.olympics.com.au/sports |publisher=[[Australian Olympic Committee]] |title=Olympic Sports |deadurl=no |accessdate=18 August 2012}}</ref>|group="note"}} At the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], every country but Nauru did, and both men and women competed in 34 sports.<ref name="Time">{{cite news |newspaper=[[Time (magazine)]] |date=20 August 2012 |title=Wonder Women |last=Saporito |first=Bill }}</ref>
   
 
At the 2012 Olympics, there were two sports for women only: [[synchronized swimming]] and [[rhythmic gymnastics]].<ref name="Time"/> That netball is also played mostly by women is seen as a drawback.<ref name=wu-2012/> Netball does allow for mixed teams,<ref name=Symons-122>{{harvnb|Symons|Hemphill|2006|p=122}}</ref><ref name=samoa-men>{{harvnb|Samoa Observer|2011}}</ref> but the Olympics did not include mixed sex team sports.<ref name=Dyer-205/>{{#tag:ref |While team mixed sex sports are not competed at the Olympics, some mixed sex events are included. They include equestrian sports, shooting and sailing where men and women compete against each other. In shooting and sailing, women were originally only allowed to competed in mixed sex events. Single sex events for these sports were not added until a later date.<ref name=ioc-2008-5>{{harvnb|International Olympic Committee|2008|p=5}}</ref> In 2012, Mixed Doubles Tennis returned to the programme after an 88-year absence.<ref>{{cite web|title=Olympics-Tennis-Mixed doubles makes games return after 88 years |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/31/oly-tenn-mixed-day4-draw-idUSL6E8IVBE620120731 |publisher=Reuters |accessdate=18 August 2012}}</ref> |name="mixed-sports" |group="note"}} [[Rugby sevens]] and [[golf]], primarily played by men, were chosen for inclusion in the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] for both sexes ahead of netball.<ref name=bbc-2011>{{harvnb|BBC|2011}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|United Nations|2007|pp=14–20}}</ref> The selection of women's team sports for the Olympics may not match participation levels in any given country. In Australia for example, 245,300 women and girls play basketball, hockey, soccer, softball and volleyball, compared to 319,500 who play netball.<ref name="Jones-143"/>
  
At the 2012 Olympics, there were two sports for women only: [[synchronized swimming]] and [[rhythmic gymnastics]].<ref name="Time"/> That netball is also played mostly by women is seen as a drawback.<ref name=wu-2012/> Netball does allow for mixed teams,<ref name=Symons-122>{{harvnb|Symons|Hemphill|2006|p=122}}</ref><ref name=samoa-men>{{harvnb|Samoa Observer|2011}}</ref> but the Olympics did not include mixed sex team sports.<ref name=Dyer-205/>{{#tag:ref |While team mixed sex sports are not competed at the Olympics, some mixed sex events are included. They include equestrian sports, shooting and sailing where men and women compete against each other. In shooting and sailing, women were originally only allowed to competed in mixed sex events. Single sex events for these sports were not added until a later date.<ref name=ioc-2008-5>{{harvnb|International Olympic Committee|2008|p=5}}</ref> In 2012, Mixed Doubles Tennis returned to the programme after an 88-year absence.<ref>{{cite web|title=Olympics-Tennis-Mixed doubles makes games return after 88 years |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/31/oly-tenn-mixed-day4-draw-idUSL6E8IVBE620120731 |publisher=Reuters |accessdate=18 August 2012}}</ref> |name="mixed-sports" |group="note"}} [[Rugby sevens]] and [[golf]], primarily played by men, were chosen for inclusion in the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] for both sexes ahead of netball.<ref name=bbc-2011>{{harvnb|BBC|2011}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|United Nations|2007|pp=14–20}}</ref> The selection of women's team sports for the Olympics may not match participation levels in any given country. In Australia for example, 245,300 women and girls play basketball, hockey, soccer, softball and volleyball, compared to 319,500 who play netball.<ref name="Jones-143"/>
   
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The issue of male over-representation in terms of total number of sports and athletes is structural. In the [[United Kingdom]], for example, more male athletes than female ones receive financial support. Sports officials rationalise this uneven distribution by claiming that there are more opportunities for men to win at the highest level than there are for women.<ref name=pfistertews-274/> The importance of being part of the Summer Olympics is illustrated by [[softball]], and the benefits the sport derived from its inclusion. This included additional media coverage, especially during Olympic years.<ref name="batter-up-152"/> Olympic recognition plays an important part in getting sponsorship for local competitions around the world and providing new opportunities for females.<ref name="state-of-play-122">{{harvnb|Hyland|McHugh|2011|p=122}}</ref>
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Male over-representation in terms of total number of sports and athletes is structural. In the [[United Kingdom]], for example, more male athletes than female ones receive financial support. Sports officials rationalise this uneven distribution by claiming that there are more opportunities for men to win at the highest level than there are for women.<ref name=pfistertews-274/> The importance of being part of the Summer Olympics is illustrated by [[softball]], and the benefits the sport derived from its inclusion. This included additional media coverage, especially during Olympic years.<ref name="batter-up-152"/> Olympic recognition plays an important part in getting sponsorship for local competitions around the world and providing new opportunities for females.<ref name="state-of-play-122">{{harvnb|Hyland|McHugh|2011|p=122}}</ref>
   
 
==Olympic recognition==
  
==Olympic recognition==
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{{Quote box
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|align=right
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|width=35%
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|quote=Netball is an amazing sport and it was very sad for us for it not to be in the Olympic Games so it would be amazing if we could get it in next time round. It would be brilliant for the girls coming through to get that opportunity to play at the Olympics because it is the sporting pinnacle if you can achieve that goal.
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|source=Tamsin Greenway, England wing attack<ref name=jordan-2011>{{harvnb|Jordan|2011}}</ref>
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}}
 
Efforts to gain Olympic recognition started in 1967, at the time when the [[International Federation of Netball Associations]] was founded. The Jamaican and Singaporean delegations present at the meeting suggested the newly created organisation become affiliated with the [[World Olympic Sports Council]] and try to get netball included on the Olympic programme. Opinions were initially split inside the newly formed organisation as to whether this was a goal worth striving for, but ultimately it was decided to work towards Olympic recognition. The Federation's first application was rejected because it referred to the sport as women's basketball and the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) said there could not be two different sports with the same name on the Olympic programme.<ref name=state-of-play-117>{{harvnb|Hyland|McHugh|2011|p=117}}</ref> This rejection was a driving factor for changing the name of the sport.<ref name=state-of-play-117/> There was tremendous resistance in Australia and New Zealand to this. The Federation made "major concessions" to both countries to persuade them to change the name of their national federations.<ref name=state-of-play-117/> In 1965, the IOC criteria required a sport must be played in at least 11 nations and the international body represented the sport must have at least 27 national organisations affiliated with it.<ref name=batter-up-152>{{harvnb|Embrey|1995|pp=152–156}}</ref>
  
Efforts to gain Olympic recognition started in 1967, at the time when the [[International Federation of Netball Associations]] was founded. The Jamaican and Singaporean delegations present at the meeting suggested the newly created organisation become affiliated with the [[World Olympic Sports Council]] and try to get netball included on the Olympic programme. Opinions were initially split inside the newly formed organisation as to whether this was a goal worth striving for, but ultimately it was decided to work towards Olympic recognition. The Federation's first application was rejected because it referred to the sport as women's basketball and the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) said there could not be two different sports with the same name on the Olympic programme.<ref name=state-of-play-117>{{harvnb|Hyland|McHugh|2011|p=117}}</ref> This rejection was a driving factor for changing the name of the sport.<ref name=state-of-play-117/> There was tremendous resistance in Australia and New Zealand to this. The Federation made "major concessions" to both countries to persuade them to change the name of their national federations.<ref name=state-of-play-117/> In 1965, the IOC criteria required a sport must be played in at least 11 nations and the international body represented the sport must have at least 27 national organisations affiliated with it.<ref name=batter-up-152>{{harvnb|Embrey|1995|pp=152–156}}</ref>
   
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Delays happened because of the structure of the Federation and the required material was not ready for presenting before IFNA's Council until 1983. During this four-year waiting period, Jamaica and Bermuda continued to agitate for the Federation to speed the process along as attaining recognition would provide their region with additional funding and make it easier to grow the sport regionally. The second application was eventually rejected in 1983, with the IOC claiming the sport had "limited popularity."<ref name=state-of-play-120>{{harvnb|Hyland|McHugh|2011|p=120}}</ref> While the netball was not able to gain Olympic recognition during this period, it did gain recognition from [[General Assembly of International Sports Federations]]. This allowed netball to be played at the [[World Games]] in 1985.<ref name=state-of-play-120/>
  
Delays happened because of the structure of the Federation and the required material was not ready for presenting before IFNA's Council until 1983. During this four-year waiting period, Jamaica and Bermuda continued to agitate for the Federation to speed the process along as attaining recognition would provide their region with additional funding and make it easier to grow the sport regionally. The second application was eventually rejected in 1983, with the IOC claiming the sport had "limited popularity."<ref name=state-of-play-120>{{harvnb|Hyland|McHugh|2011|p=120}}</ref> While the netball was not able to gain Olympic recognition during this period, it did gain recognition from [[General Assembly of International Sports Federations]]. This allowed netball to be played at the [[World Games]] in 1985.<ref name=state-of-play-120/>
   
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Because of the 1983 rejection, an earlier idea that had been tried and failed in 1979 was revisited: Creating regional Federations for the Americas, Europe, Oceania and Asia, regional groupings mirroring that of the Olympic organisers. This was implemented by 1987,<ref name=state-of-play-120/> which was rejected later that year because the sport did not meet all the criteria established and it was not yet a global sport. The IOC viewed the sport as one belonging only to the [[Commonwealth of Nations]].<ref name=state-of-play-121>{{harvnb|Hyland|McHugh|2011|p=121}}</ref> While the netball was rejected for a third time, the New Zealand hosts of the [[1990 Commonwealth Games]] managed to get the sport to have demonstration status, with the news of this being announced in 1987. That same year, netball also gained full member status from the General Assembly of International Sports Federations<ref name=state-of-play-121/> In the mean time, the IOC did provide the Federation with a {{currency|1000|USD}} grant, though none of this grant money was used by 1991. Because of what appeared to be the unlikely recognition by the IOC, the Federation urged its national members to seek membership with their national Olympic committees so national federations could access national funding in order to help grow the sport inside their home countries.<ref name=state-of-play-121/>
 +
Because of the 1983 rejection, an earlier idea that had been tried and failed in 1979 was revisited: Creating regional Federations for the Americas, Europe, Oceania and Asia, regional groupings mirroring that of the Olympic organisers. This was implemented by 1987,<ref name=state-of-play-120/> which was rejected later that year because the sport did not meet all the criteria established and it was not considered a global sport. The IOC viewed the sport as one belonging only to the [[Commonwealth of Nations]].<ref name=state-of-play-121>{{harvnb|Hyland|McHugh|2011|p=121}}</ref> While the netball was rejected for a third time, the New Zealand hosts of the [[1990 Commonwealth Games]] managed to get the sport to have demonstration status, with the news of this being announced in 1987. That same year, netball also gained full member status from the General Assembly of International Sports Federations.<ref name=state-of-play-121/> In the mean time, the IOC did provide the Federation with a {{currency|1000|USD}} grant, though none of this grant money was used by 1991. Because of what appeared to be the unlikely recognition by the IOC, the Federation urged its national members to seek membership with their national Olympic committees so national federations could access national funding in order to help grow the sport inside their home countries.<ref name=state-of-play-121/>
   
 
A decision was made to try again for Olympic recognition was made, but the Federation was irritated because they had never been given clear guidelines for what the IOC was looking for in terms of a sport gaining Olympic recognition. The Federation believed that every time they met the criteria they were given, there was a new hoop for them to jump through.<ref name=state-of-play-121/> An example of this was a requirement given to the Federation 1992/1993 that the IOC be given technical specs for venue space should the sport be included on the Olympic programme. The Federation continued to work to address these requirements and eventually, in October 1993, netball through IFNA was given provisional Olympic recognition, requiring a two-year probation period. This recognition came with a {{currency|10000|USD}} per year per region for the Federation to develop the sport around the world.<ref name="state-of-play-122"/>
  
A decision was made to try again for Olympic recognition was made, but the Federation was irritated because they had never been given clear guidelines for what the IOC was looking for in terms of a sport gaining Olympic recognition. The Federation believed that every time they met the criteria they were given, there was a new hoop for them to jump through.<ref name=state-of-play-121/> An example of this was a requirement given to the Federation 1992/1993 that the IOC be given technical specs for venue space should the sport be included on the Olympic programme. The Federation continued to work to address these requirements and eventually, in October 1993, netball through IFNA was given provisional Olympic recognition, requiring a two-year probation period. This recognition came with a {{currency|10000|USD}} per year per region for the Federation to develop the sport around the world.<ref name="state-of-play-122"/>
   
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In 1995, the IFNA gained permanent IOC recognition<ref name=Smartt-2009>{{harvnb|Smartt|Chalmers|2009}}</ref><ref name=Taylor-67>{{harvnb|Taylor|2001|p=67}}</ref><ref name=PofNSW-11179/><ref name=netaus-6>{{harvnb|Netball Australia|1996|p=6}}</ref><ref name=state-of-play-124>{{harvnb|Hyland|McHugh|2011|p=124}}</ref> after a twenty-year period of lobbying<ref name=Taylor-67/><ref name=McCann-51>{{harvnb|McCann|2006|p=51}}</ref> and a two-year probation period.<ref name="netaus-6"/> This makes it eligible to be played in future Games.<ref name=Jones-143>{{harvnb|Jones|2004|p=143}}</ref><ref name=IFNA-History>{{harvnb|International Federation of Netball Associations}}</ref> Recognition has meant national associations could become full members of their countries' national Olympic committees.National members of [[International Federation of Netball Associations]] (IFNA) were able to apply for that recognition by 1993.<ref name=Taylor-67/> The [[Netball Australia|All Australia Netball Association]] is one national organisation that has become a full member of their national Olympic committee.<ref name=PofNSW-11179>{{harvnb|Parliament of New South Wales, 21 September 2004}}</ref> In 2004, [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) recognition of the IFNA was renewed.<ref name=Shooting-2004>{{harvnb|Shooting for Success|2004|p=1}}</ref> The IFNA has made Olympic recognition part of its long term strategy towards continuing to grow the game.<ref name="Shooting-2004"/>
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In 1995, netball became a permanent [[Olympic sports|Olympic recognised sport]]<ref name=Smartt-2009>{{harvnb|Smartt|Chalmers|2009}}</ref><ref name=Taylor-67>{{harvnb|Taylor|2001|p=67}}</ref><ref name=PofNSW-11179/><ref name=netaus-6>{{harvnb|Netball Australia|1996|p=6}}</ref><ref name=state-of-play-124>{{harvnb|Hyland|McHugh|2011|p=124}}</ref> after a twenty-year period of lobbying<ref name=Taylor-67/><ref name=McCann-51>{{harvnb|McCann|2006|p=51}}</ref> and a two-year probation period.<ref name="netaus-6"/> This makes it eligible to be played in future Games.<ref name=Jones-143>{{harvnb|Jones|2004|p=143}}</ref><ref name=IFNA-History>{{harvnb|International Federation of Netball Associations}}</ref> Recognition has meant national associations could become full members of their countries' national Olympic committees.National members of [[International Federation of Netball Associations]] (IFNA) were able to apply for that recognition by 1993.<ref name=Taylor-67/> The [[Netball Australia|All Australia Netball Association]] is one national organisation that has become a full member of their national Olympic committee.<ref name=PofNSW-11179>{{harvnb|Parliament of New South Wales, 21 September 2004}}</ref> In 2004, [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) recognition of the IFNA was renewed.<ref name=Shooting-2004>{{harvnb|Shooting for Success|2004|p=1}}</ref> The IFNA has made Olympic recognition part of its long term strategy towards continuing to grow the game.<ref name="Shooting-2004"/>
   
 
There have been multiple unsuccessful attempts by netball supporters to get the sport played in the Summer Olympics.<ref name=jordan-2011>{{harvnb|Jordan|2011}}</ref><ref name="PofNSW-11179"/><ref name=netaus-7>{{harvnb|Netball Australia|1996|p=7}}</ref> In 1996, the netball leadership actively pursued the possibility of netball being played at the [[2000 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="netaus-7"/> The government of New South Wales encouraged the Australian Olympic Committee to lobby for the inclusion of netball in the [[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing Olympic games]].<ref name="PofNSW-11179"/> [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Gordon Brown]], [[England national netball team|Netball England national]] team member [[Tamsin Greenway]], two time Olympic gold medallist [[Kelly Holmes]] and Olympic [[heptathlon]] competitor [[Denise Lewis]] are [[Netball in England|English]] supporters who would like to see netball in future Olympic games.<ref name=jordan-2011>{{harvnb|Jordan|2011}}</ref> The earliest the sport could be included on the programme would be 2024.<ref name=wu-2012>{{harvnb|Wu|9 June 2012}}</ref>
  
There have been multiple unsuccessful attempts by netball supporters to get the sport played in the Summer Olympics.<ref name=jordan-2011>{{harvnb|Jordan|2011}}</ref><ref name="PofNSW-11179"/><ref name=netaus-7>{{harvnb|Netball Australia|1996|p=7}}</ref> In 1996, the netball leadership actively pursued the possibility of netball being played at the [[2000 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="netaus-7"/> The government of New South Wales encouraged the Australian Olympic Committee to lobby for the inclusion of netball in the [[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing Olympic games]].<ref name="PofNSW-11179"/> [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Gordon Brown]], [[England national netball team|Netball England national]] team member [[Tamsin Greenway]], two time Olympic gold medallist [[Kelly Holmes]] and Olympic [[heptathlon]] competitor [[Denise Lewis]] are [[Netball in England|English]] supporters who would like to see netball in future Olympic games.<ref name=jordan-2011>{{harvnb|Jordan|2011}}</ref> The earliest the sport could be included on the programme would be 2024.<ref name=wu-2012>{{harvnb|Wu|9 June 2012}}</ref>
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==Funding==
  
==Funding==
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The lack of Olympic recognition hampered the globalisation of the game in developing countries<ref name=Crocombe-156>{{harvnb|Crocombe|2007|p=156}}</ref> because the Olympic Solidarity Movement provides access to funding for these nations through the International Olympic Committee.<ref name=Crocombe-156/> In some countries, such as Tanzania, the lack of access to Olympic funding cut off other options such as funding by the [[British Council]].<ref name=Massoa-120>{{harvnb|Massoa|Fasting|2002|p=120}}</ref> With official recognition, funding from the IOC, the Olympic Solidarity Movement and the British Council became available to cover costs for travel to international competitions.<ref name=Crocombe-156/> For some nations, without that assistance, trying to maintain international calibre teams was difficult.<ref name=Crocombe-156/> Olympic recognition brought money for development into the sport.<ref name="Shooting-2004"/> In 2004, IFNA received a grant of {{US$|10000}} from the IOC for development.<ref name="Shooting-2004"/> IFNA was given an additional {{US$|3300}} a year until 2007 by the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports (ARISF).<ref name="Shooting-2004"/> In sort, national Olympic Committees tend to direct their resources into sports that are included in the Olympic Programme rather than sports that are not played at the Olympics.
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The lack of Olympic recognition hampered the globalisation of the game in developing countries<ref name=Crocombe-156>{{harvnb|Crocombe|2007|p=156}}</ref> because the Olympic Solidarity Movement provides access to funding for these nations through the International Olympic Committee.<ref name=Crocombe-156/> In some countries, such as Tanzania, the lack of access to Olympic funding cut off other options such as funding by the [[British Council]].<ref name=Massoa-120>{{harvnb|Massoa|Fasting|2002|p=120}}</ref> With official recognition, funding from the IOC, the Olympic Solidarity Movement and the British Council became available to cover costs for travel to international competitions.<ref name=Crocombe-156/> For some nations, without that assistance, trying to maintain international calibre teams was difficult.<ref name=Crocombe-156/> Olympic recognition brought money for development into the sport.<ref name="Shooting-2004"/> In 2004, IFNA received a grant of {{US$|10000}} from the IOC for development.<ref name="Shooting-2004"/> IFNA was given an additional {{US$|3300}} a year until 2007 by the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports (ARISF).<ref name="Shooting-2004"/>
   
 
Beyond access to funds from the IOC, state and national sporting bodies, and state and federal governments often use IOC status as a funding criteria. This has been the case in Australia,<ref name=ascstatus-92>{{harvnb|Australian Sport Commission|Office of the Status of Women|1985|p=92}}</ref> and [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]].<ref name=cpacdpobc-5>{{harvnb|Community, Sport and Cultural Development|2010|p=5}}</ref> In 1985, the [[Australian Sports Commission]] and the [[Office of the Status of Women]] identified five criteria for obtaining federal funding.<ref name=ascstatus-92/> One of these was "status as an Olympic sport and its size by registrations."<ref name=ascstatus-92/>{{#tag:ref |Netball qualified for funding because it met the other criteria. From 1980 to 1984, the sport received {{A$|497,000}} in funding.<ref name=ascstatus-92/>|name="funding-netball" |group="note"}} In [[British Columbia]], one of the guidelines says that in order to receive funding, "the sport must be on the program for either the 2011 or 2013 Canada Games and/or the next scheduled recognized International Multi-Sport Games (Olympics/Paralympics, Pan American or Commonwealth Games, Special Olympic World Games)".<ref name=cpacdpobc-5/>
  
Beyond access to funds from the IOC, state and national sporting bodies, and state and federal governments often use IOC status as a funding criteria. This has been the case in Australia,<ref name=ascstatus-92>{{harvnb|Australian Sport Commission|Office of the Status of Women|1985|p=92}}</ref> and [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]].<ref name=cpacdpobc-5>{{harvnb|Community, Sport and Cultural Development|2010|p=5}}</ref> In 1985, the [[Australian Sports Commission]] and the [[Office of the Status of Women]] identified five criteria for obtaining federal funding.<ref name=ascstatus-92/> One of these was "status as an Olympic sport and its size by registrations."<ref name=ascstatus-92/>{{#tag:ref |Netball qualified for funding because it met the other criteria. From 1980 to 1984, the sport received {{A$|497,000}} in funding.<ref name=ascstatus-92/>|name="funding-netball" |group="note"}} In [[British Columbia]], one of the guidelines says that in order to receive funding, "the sport must be on the program for either the 2011 or 2013 Canada Games and/or the next scheduled recognized International Multi-Sport Games (Olympics/Paralympics, Pan American or Commonwealth Games, Special Olympic World Games)".<ref name=cpacdpobc-5/>
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==Media coverage==
  
==Media coverage==
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While netball may be the most popular women's participation sport in many Commonwealth countries, such as Tanzania, the effort to increase media attention and participation for women's sport often goes to Olympic sports with low participation rates, low rates of interest and few facilities.<ref name="Jones-143"/><ref name="Massoa-120"/> Even then, historically, coverage of women's team sports in the Olympics has been limited.<ref name="Jones-143"/> Instead, the media focus on female athletes in non-team competitions and on team sports played equally by both genders.<ref name="Jones-143"/> Media attention goes toward sports with greater spectator interest and television exposure. Since netball involves less athleticism than basketball, it has not attracted as much spectator interest, and therefor less media attention.
 +
While netball may be the most popular women's participation sport in many Commonwealth countries, such as Tanzania, the effort to increase media attention and participation for women's sport often goes to Olympic sports with low participation rates, low rates of interest and few facilities.<ref name="Jones-143"/><ref name="Massoa-120"/> Even then, historically, coverage of women's team sports in the Olympics has been limited.<ref name="Jones-143"/> Instead, the media focus on female athletes in non-team competitions and on team sports played equally by both genders.<ref name="Jones-143"/>
   
 
==National associations==
  
==National associations==
−
National netball associations have been involved with national Olympic committees as members or associate members, or had their administrators generally involved with national Olympic Committees, for a long time. In the case of the Bahamas, by 1960 the [[Bahamas Olympic Association]] had as one of its member organisations the national netball association.<ref name=mofac-187>{{harvnb|Ministry of Education & Culture|1970|p=187}}</ref> Netball was also represented in the [[Dominica Olympic Committee]] almost from the moment the organisation was founded.<ref name=doc-2010>{{harvnb|Dominica Olympic Committee|2010}}</ref> Some of the national netball federations that are affiliated with their national Olympic Committee include [[Netball Singapore]]<ref name=singolym-2010>{{harvnb|Singapore National Olympic Council|2010}}</ref> and the [[Netball Australia|All Australia Netball Association]].<ref name="PofNSW-11179"/> However, although these national associations have been in place for a long time, they have not influenced the inclusion of netball in the Olympic Programme, which has been set through 2024.
 +
National netball associations have been involved with national Olympic committees as members or associate members, or had their administrators generally involved with national Olympic Committees, for a long time. In the case of the Bahamas, by 1960 the [[Bahamas Olympic Association]] had as one of its member organisations the national netball association.<ref name=mofac-187>{{harvnb|Ministry of Education & Culture|1970|p=187}}</ref> Netball was also represented in the [[Dominica Olympic Committee]] almost from the moment the organisation was founded.<ref name=doc-2010>{{harvnb|Dominica Olympic Committee|2010}}</ref> Some of the national netball federations that are affiliated with their national Olympic Committee include [[Netball Singapore]]<ref name=singolym-2010>{{harvnb|Singapore National Olympic Council|2010}}</ref> and the [[Netball Australia|All Australia Netball Association]].<ref name="PofNSW-11179"/>
   
 
==Notes==
  
==Notes==

Revision as of 20:30, 30 January 2013

Netball and the Olympic Movement
Highest governing bodyInternational Federation of Netball Associations
Presence
OlympicIOC-recognised, 1995

Netball has never been played at the Olympics, but its sport federation has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). When the sport gained recognition, it opened up sources of funds that the global netball community had not been able to access before, including IOC, national Olympic committees and sports organisations, and state and federal governments.

Women's sport at the Olympics

See also: Women's sport at the Olympics

We know we can't compete against football and rugby but to have more recognition and insight into the sport would be great

Geva Mentor, England goal defence[1]

According to Dyer in 1982, exclusion of netball from the Summer Olympics is part of the historical pattern of the slow growth and gradual acceptance of women's sports.[2] Women first competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics in three sports: tennis, croquet and golf.[3] Women's cycling was excluded for many years despite[clarification needed] having world championships organised by 1958.[2] Field hockey, a sport included for men from 1908, was not open to competition by women until 1980.[2] By the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, there were 159 medal events for men, but 86 for women, and 12 for both men and women,[4] and as late as 1996, 26 countries sent no women to the Olympics.[3] There were still sports that excluded women at the 2000 Summer Olympics, such as boxing, wrestling and baseball.[4][note 1] At the 2012 Summer Olympics, every country but Nauru did, and both men and women competed in 34 sports.[3]

At the 2012 Olympics, there were two sports for women only: synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics.[3] That netball is also played mostly by women is seen as a drawback.[6] Netball does allow for mixed teams,[7][8] but the Olympics did not include mixed sex team sports.[2][note 2] Rugby sevens and golf, primarily played by men, were chosen for inclusion in the 2016 Summer Olympics for both sexes ahead of netball.[1][11] The selection of women's team sports for the Olympics may not match participation levels in any given country. In Australia for example, 245,300 women and girls play basketball, hockey, soccer, softball and volleyball, compared to 319,500 who play netball.[12]

Male over-representation in terms of total number of sports and athletes is structural. In the United Kingdom, for example, more male athletes than female ones receive financial support. Sports officials rationalise this uneven distribution by claiming that there are more opportunities for men to win at the highest level than there are for women.[4] The importance of being part of the Summer Olympics is illustrated by softball, and the benefits the sport derived from its inclusion. This included additional media coverage, especially during Olympic years.[13] Olympic recognition plays an important part in getting sponsorship for local competitions around the world and providing new opportunities for females.[14]

Olympic recognition

Netball is an amazing sport and it was very sad for us for it not to be in the Olympic Games so it would be amazing if we could get it in next time round. It would be brilliant for the girls coming through to get that opportunity to play at the Olympics because it is the sporting pinnacle if you can achieve that goal.

Tamsin Greenway, England wing attack[15]

Efforts to gain Olympic recognition started in 1967, at the time when the International Federation of Netball Associations was founded. The Jamaican and Singaporean delegations present at the meeting suggested the newly created organisation become affiliated with the World Olympic Sports Council and try to get netball included on the Olympic programme. Opinions were initially split inside the newly formed organisation as to whether this was a goal worth striving for, but ultimately it was decided to work towards Olympic recognition. The Federation's first application was rejected because it referred to the sport as women's basketball and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said there could not be two different sports with the same name on the Olympic programme.[16] This rejection was a driving factor for changing the name of the sport.[16] There was tremendous resistance in Australia and New Zealand to this. The Federation made "major concessions" to both countries to persuade them to change the name of their national federations.[16] In 1965, the IOC criteria required a sport must be played in at least 11 nations and the international body represented the sport must have at least 27 national organisations affiliated with it.[13]

A second application was started in 1971 after the previous rejection which reflected the name change. While name changes and other International Olympic Committee suggestions were agreed upon as necessary to go forward, the integration of these changes into the Federation's constitution and governance strategy took over four years and the application languished as a result until 1979, when the IOC responded back with a request for additional information of IFNA's finances and governance. The decision to provide additional information was deferred until 1979's Conference. The Jamaican representatives were frustrated with the slow process inside the organisation and tried to take steps to speed the process up inside the Federation. This included submitting proposals for organisational changes to address the most recent IOC feedback, addressing issues such as player drug testing, the selling of television and radio rights, and how to establish an Olympic draw among other points. Because of Jamaican influence, the Federation created a specific committee to work on the issue of addressing Olympic requirements, which was composed of New Zealanders Rena Straford, Lorna McOnchie and Anne Taylor. They were supposed to have these issues addressed by a meeting scheduled at the end of 1979.[17][note 3]

Delays happened because of the structure of the Federation and the required material was not ready for presenting before IFNA's Council until 1983. During this four-year waiting period, Jamaica and Bermuda continued to agitate for the Federation to speed the process along as attaining recognition would provide their region with additional funding and make it easier to grow the sport regionally. The second application was eventually rejected in 1983, with the IOC claiming the sport had "limited popularity."[18] While the netball was not able to gain Olympic recognition during this period, it did gain recognition from General Assembly of International Sports Federations. This allowed netball to be played at the World Games in 1985.[18]

Because of the 1983 rejection, an earlier idea that had been tried and failed in 1979 was revisited: Creating regional Federations for the Americas, Europe, Oceania and Asia, regional groupings mirroring that of the Olympic organisers. This was implemented by 1987,[18] which was rejected later that year because the sport did not meet all the criteria established and it was not considered a global sport. The IOC viewed the sport as one belonging only to the Commonwealth of Nations.[19] While the netball was rejected for a third time, the New Zealand hosts of the 1990 Commonwealth Games managed to get the sport to have demonstration status, with the news of this being announced in 1987. That same year, netball also gained full member status from the General Assembly of International Sports Federations.[19] In the mean time, the IOC did provide the Federation with a US$1,000 grant, though none of this grant money was used by 1991. Because of what appeared to be the unlikely recognition by the IOC, the Federation urged its national members to seek membership with their national Olympic committees so national federations could access national funding in order to help grow the sport inside their home countries.[19]

A decision was made to try again for Olympic recognition was made, but the Federation was irritated because they had never been given clear guidelines for what the IOC was looking for in terms of a sport gaining Olympic recognition. The Federation believed that every time they met the criteria they were given, there was a new hoop for them to jump through.[19] An example of this was a requirement given to the Federation 1992/1993 that the IOC be given technical specs for venue space should the sport be included on the Olympic programme. The Federation continued to work to address these requirements and eventually, in October 1993, netball through IFNA was given provisional Olympic recognition, requiring a two-year probation period. This recognition came with a US$10,000 per year per region for the Federation to develop the sport around the world.[14]

In 1995, netball became a permanent Olympic recognised sport[20][21][22][23][24] after a twenty-year period of lobbying[21][25] and a two-year probation period.[23] This makes it eligible to be played in future Games.[12][26] Recognition has meant national associations could become full members of their countries' national Olympic committees.National members of International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) were able to apply for that recognition by 1993.[21] The All Australia Netball Association is one national organisation that has become a full member of their national Olympic committee.[22] In 2004, International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition of the IFNA was renewed.[27] The IFNA has made Olympic recognition part of its long term strategy towards continuing to grow the game.[27]

There have been multiple unsuccessful attempts by netball supporters to get the sport played in the Summer Olympics.[15][22][28] In 1996, the netball leadership actively pursued the possibility of netball being played at the 2000 Summer Olympics.[28] The government of New South Wales encouraged the Australian Olympic Committee to lobby for the inclusion of netball in the 2008 Beijing Olympic games.[22] Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Netball England national team member Tamsin Greenway, two time Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes and Olympic heptathlon competitor Denise Lewis are English supporters who would like to see netball in future Olympic games.[15] The earliest the sport could be included on the programme would be 2024.[6]

In an extraordinary session in Mexico City in November 2002, the IOC decided to limit the total number of sports to 28, events to 301 and athletes to 10,500, slowing the process of adding new sports to future Olympic Games.[29] At the extraordinary session, the IOC set forth the requirements that a sport must meet before it is eligible for inclusion in the Olympic programme.[9] The table created in the documentation for this meeting is provided below[9]:

Name Example Conditions to be met for inclusion in the Olympic Games[9]
Federation Fédération Internationale de Natation Administer one or several sports at world level and encompass organisations administering such sports at national level (national federations)[9]
Have statutes, practice and activities in conformity with the Olympic Charter[9]
Have adopted and implemented the World Anti-Doping Code[9]
Sport Aquatics For the Games of the Olympiad: be widely practised by men in at least 75 countries and on four continents and by women in at least 40 countries and on three continents[9]
For the Winter Games: be widely practised in at least 20 countries on three continents[9]
Have adopted and implemented the World Anti-Doping Code[9]
Be admitted to the programme seven years before the Olympic Games[9]
Discipline Diving Have a recognised international standing[9]
For the Games of the Olympiad: be widely practised by men in at least 75 countries and on four continents and by women in at least 40 countries and on three continents[9]
For the Winter Games: be widely practised in at least 25 countries on three continents[9]
Be admitted to the programme seven years before the Olympic Games[9]
Event Individual springboard (diving) Have a recognised international standing both numerically and geographically, and have been included at least twice in world or continental championships[9]
Be practised by men in at least 50 countries and on three continents and by women in at least 35 countries and on three continents[9]
Be admitted three years before the Olympic Games[9]

Funding

The lack of Olympic recognition hampered the globalisation of the game in developing countries[30] because the Olympic Solidarity Movement provides access to funding for these nations through the International Olympic Committee.[30] In some countries, such as Tanzania, the lack of access to Olympic funding cut off other options such as funding by the British Council.[31] With official recognition, funding from the IOC, the Olympic Solidarity Movement and the British Council became available to cover costs for travel to international competitions.[30] For some nations, without that assistance, trying to maintain international calibre teams was difficult.[30] Olympic recognition brought money for development into the sport.[27] In 2004, IFNA received a grant of US$10,000 from the IOC for development.[27] IFNA was given an additional US$3,300 a year until 2007 by the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports (ARISF).[27]

Beyond access to funds from the IOC, state and national sporting bodies, and state and federal governments often use IOC status as a funding criteria. This has been the case in Australia,[32] and British Columbia, Canada.[33] In 1985, the Australian Sports Commission and the Office of the Status of Women identified five criteria for obtaining federal funding.[32] One of these was "status as an Olympic sport and its size by registrations."[32][note 4] In British Columbia, one of the guidelines says that in order to receive funding, "the sport must be on the program for either the 2011 or 2013 Canada Games and/or the next scheduled recognized International Multi-Sport Games (Olympics/Paralympics, Pan American or Commonwealth Games, Special Olympic World Games)".[33]

The IOC and its daughter organisations give awards and scholarships.[34][35] In 1995, two of the scholarships offered by the Oceania Olympic Training Centre were given to netballers: Janaet Snape and Darlene Marsters.[34] The Oceania Olympic Training Centre also made it possible for Mona-Lisa Leka from Papua New Guinea to go to Australia to train.[34] In 2007, the IOC awarded Veitu Apana Diro, the Vice-President of the NOC of Papua New, the Trophy for Oceania. This recognition came in part because she had created the nation's national netball organisation in 1965 and actively promoted women's involvement in netball around the country.[35]

Media coverage

While netball may be the most popular women's participation sport in many Commonwealth countries, such as Tanzania, the effort to increase media attention and participation for women's sport often goes to Olympic sports with low participation rates, low rates of interest and few facilities.[12][31] Even then, historically, coverage of women's team sports in the Olympics has been limited.[12] Instead, the media focus on female athletes in non-team competitions and on team sports played equally by both genders.[12]

National associations

National netball associations have been involved with national Olympic committees as members or associate members, or had their administrators generally involved with national Olympic Committees, for a long time. In the case of the Bahamas, by 1960 the Bahamas Olympic Association had as one of its member organisations the national netball association.[36] Netball was also represented in the Dominica Olympic Committee almost from the moment the organisation was founded.[37] Some of the national netball federations that are affiliated with their national Olympic Committee include Netball Singapore[38] and the All Australia Netball Association.[22]

Notes

  1. ^ In 2012, Women's Boxing was added to the Olympic programme resulting in women's participation in all sports.[5]
  2. ^ While team mixed sex sports are not competed at the Olympics, some mixed sex events are included. They include equestrian sports, shooting and sailing where men and women compete against each other. In shooting and sailing, women were originally only allowed to competed in mixed sex events. Single sex events for these sports were not added until a later date.[9] In 2012, Mixed Doubles Tennis returned to the programme after an 88-year absence.[10]
  3. ^ Concurrently to trying to gain Olympic recognition, the organisation was also seeking recognition from the Commonwealth Games.[17]
  4. ^ Netball qualified for funding because it met the other criteria. From 1980 to 1984, the sport received A$497,000 in funding.[32]

References

  1. ^ a b BBC 2011
  2. ^ a b c d Dyer 1982, p. 205
  3. ^ a b c d Saporito, Bill (20 August 2012). "Wonder Women". Time (magazine).
  4. ^ a b c Pfister & Hartmann-Tews 2002, p. 274
  5. ^ "Olympic Sports". Australian Olympic Committee. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b Wu & 9 June 2012
  7. ^ Symons & Hemphill 2006, p. 122
  8. ^ Samoa Observer 2011
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r International Olympic Committee 2008, p. 5
  10. ^ "Olympics-Tennis-Mixed doubles makes games return after 88 years". Reuters. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  11. ^ United Nations 2007, pp. 14–20
  12. ^ a b c d e Jones 2004, p. 143
  13. ^ a b Embrey 1995, pp. 152–156 harvnb error: multiple targets (2×): CITEREFEmbrey1995 (help)
  14. ^ a b Hyland & McHugh 2011, p. 122
  15. ^ a b c Jordan 2011
  16. ^ a b c Hyland & McHugh 2011, p. 117
  17. ^ a b Hyland & McHugh 2011, p. 119
  18. ^ a b c Hyland & McHugh 2011, p. 120
  19. ^ a b c d Hyland & McHugh 2011, p. 121
  20. ^ Smartt & Chalmers 2009
  21. ^ a b c Taylor 2001, p. 67
  22. ^ a b c d e Parliament of New South Wales, 21 September 2004
  23. ^ a b Netball Australia 1996, p. 6
  24. ^ Hyland & McHugh 2011, p. 124
  25. ^ McCann 2006, p. 51
  26. ^ International Federation of Netball Associations
  27. ^ a b c d e Shooting for Success 2004, p. 1
  28. ^ a b Netball Australia 1996, p. 7
  29. ^ International Olympic Committee 2008, p. 1
  30. ^ a b c d Crocombe 2007, p. 156
  31. ^ a b Massoa & Fasting 2002, p. 120
  32. ^ a b c d Australian Sport Commission & Office of the Status of Women 1985, p. 92
  33. ^ a b Community, Sport and Cultural Development 2010, p. 5
  34. ^ a b c Netball Australia 1996, p. 12
  35. ^ a b International Olympic Committee 2007, p. 2
  36. ^ Ministry of Education & Culture 1970, p. 187
  37. ^ Dominica Olympic Committee 2010
  38. ^ Singapore National Olympic Council 2010

Bibliography

See also


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