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Netball and the Olympic Movement: Difference between revisions

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| imagesize = 225px
  
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| union = [[International Federation of Netball Associations]]
  
| union = [[International Federation of Netball Associations]]
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| olympic = IOC-recognised federation, 1995
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| olympic = IOC-recognised, 1995
 
}}
  
}}
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The [[International Olympic Committee]] has recognized the [[International Federation of Netball Associations]] (IFNA) as a sports federation, a status attained in 1995 after a twenty year period of lobbying. Netball has never been played at the [[Summer Olympics]], but recognition of the IFNA means that netball could be included at some point in the future. When IFNA gained recognition, it opened up sources of funds that the global netball community had not been able to access before, including the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC), national Olympic committees and sports organisations, and state and federal governments.
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[[Netball]] is an [[Olympic sports#Recognized sports|Olympic recognised sport]], a status attained in 1995 after a twenty year period of lobbying. It has never been played at the [[Summer Olympics]], but recognition means that it could be included at some point in the future. Its exclusion was seen by the netball community as a hindrance to the global growth of the game, depriving it of media attention and funding. When the sport gained recognition, it opened up sources of funds that the global netball community had not been able to access before, including the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC), national Olympic committees and sports organisations, and state and federal governments.
   
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==Women's sport at the Olympics==
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==Competition for Inclusion in the Olympic Programme==
  
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{{main|Women's sport at the Olympics}}
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One feminist commentator argues that the failure of netball to gain inclusion in the [[Summer Olympics]] is part of a pattern of a wider exclusion of women's sports.<ref name=Dyer-205>{{harvnb|Dyer|1982|p=205}}</ref> For example, 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/> [[Lawn bowls]] is a popular women's sport that has been included in the [[Commonwealth Games]] for many years, but has not made the Olympic programme.<ref name=Dyer-205/> However, the IOC has included basketball as a women's sport since 1976. While primarily a sport for women, netball allows 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 do not allow mixed gender team sports.<ref name=Dyer-205/>{{#tag:ref |While team mixed gendered sports are not competed at the Olympics, some mixed gendered 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 gendered events. Single gender events for these sports were not added until a later date.<ref name=ioc-2008-5>{{harvnb|International Olympic Committee|2008|p=5}}</ref>|name="mixed-sports" |group="note"}} However, the IFNA has not sought inclusion of coed netball in the Olympics but instead has focused on women-only netball when pressing the issue.
  
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{{Quote box
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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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}}
  ⚫
Exclusion of netball from the [[Summer Olympics]] is part of a pattern of exclusion of women's sports.<ref name=Dyer-205>{{harvnb|Dyer|1982|p=205}}</ref> For example, 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/> [[Lawn bowls]] is a popular women's sport that has been included in the [[Commonwealth Games]] for many years, but has not made the Olympic programme.<ref name=Dyer-205/> While primarily a sport for women, netball allows 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 do not allow mixed gender team sports.<ref name=Dyer-205/>{{#tag:ref |While team mixed gendered sports are not competed at the Olympics, some mixed gendered 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 gendered events. Single gender events for these sports were not added until a later date.<ref name=ioc-2008-5>{{harvnb|International Olympic Committee|2008|p=5}}</ref>|name="mixed-sports" |group="note"}}
   
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Some observers claim that issues facing netball are part of a larger problem involving female participation in the Olympics.<ref name=Dyer-205/> At the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] in [[Barcelona]], there were 159 medal events for men, but only 86 for women (including basketball), and 12 for both men and women.<ref name=pfistertews-274>{{harvnb|Pfister|Hartmann-Tews|2002|p=274}}</ref> Even at the [[2000 Summer Olympics]], there were still sports that excluded women, such as [[boxing]], [[wrestling]] and [[baseball]].<ref name=pfistertews-274/> The sports [[Rugby sevens]] and [[golf]], primarily played men, were chosen for inclusion in the [[2016 Summer Olympics|Rio Olympics]] ahead of netball.<ref name=bbc-2011>{{harvnb|BBC|2011}}</ref>
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The issues facing netball are part of a larger problem involving female participation in the Olympics.<ref name=Dyer-205/> At 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> Even at the [[2000 Summer Olympics]], there were still sports that excluded women, such as [[boxing]], [[wrestling]] and [[baseball]].<ref name=pfistertews-274/> The sports [[Rugby sevens]] and [[golf]], primarily played men, were chosen for inclusion in the [[2016 Summer Olympics|Rio Olympics]] ahead of netball.<ref name=bbc-2011>{{harvnb|BBC|2011}}</ref> That netball is played mostly by women is also seen as problematic as the IOC is looking for greater gender balance "netball being a female-dominated sport could be a hindrance."<ref name=wu-2012/>
   
 
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.<ref name=Taylor-15>{{harvnb|Taylor|2001a|p=15}}</ref> This included additional media coverage, especially during Olympic years.<ref name=Taylor-15/> Olympic recognition plays an important part in getting sponsorship for local competitions around the world<ref name=FNB-2010>{{harvnb|First National Bank|2010}}</ref> and providing new opportunities for females.<ref name=FNB-2010/>
  
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.<ref name=Taylor-15>{{harvnb|Taylor|2001a|p=15}}</ref> This included additional media coverage, especially during Olympic years.<ref name=Taylor-15/> Olympic recognition plays an important part in getting sponsorship for local competitions around the world<ref name=FNB-2010>{{harvnb|First National Bank|2010}}</ref> and providing new opportunities for females.<ref name=FNB-2010/>
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==Olympic recognition==
  
==Olympic recognition==
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{{Quote box
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In 1995, the International Olympic Committee recognized the [[International Federation of Netball Associations]] (IFNA) as a sports federation.<ref name=Smartt-2009>{{harvnb|Smartt|Chalmers|2009}}</ref><ref name=Taylor-67>{{harvnb|Taylor|2001|p=67}}</ref><ref name=PofNSW-11179>{{harvnb|Parliament of New South Wales|21 September 2004|p=11179}}</ref><ref name=netaus-6>{{harvnb|Netball Australia|1996|p=6}}</ref> after a twenty year period of lobbying<ref name=Taylor-67/><ref name=Taylor-14>{{harvnb|Taylor|2001a|p=14}}</ref> and a two year probation period.<ref name="netaus-6"/> This makes Netball eligible to be played in future Games.<ref name=IFNA-History>{{harvnb|International Federation of Netball Associations}}</ref><ref name=Jones-143>{{harvnb|Jones|2004|p=143}}</ref> One attempt was made in 1989, when Netball advocates sought to include it in the West German [[World Games]].<ref name=nnz-2009>{{harvnb|Netball New Zealand|2009}}</ref> This failed.{{#tag:ref |The tournament still took place, with New Zealand winning.<ref name=nnz-2009/>|name="nz-held" |group="note"}}
  
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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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}}
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Efforts to gain Olympic recognition started in 1967, at the time when [[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. There were split opinions inside the newly formed organisation as to whether or not this was a goal worth striving for, but it was ultimately decided this was an objective worth working towards. The Federation's first application was rejected because application 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 rationale for this rejection was one of the driving factors in changing the name of the sport and the Federation.<ref name=state-of-play-117/>{{#tag:ref |There was tremendous resistance in Australia and New Zealand to changing the name. The Federation made "major concessions" to both countries to incentivize them to change the name of their national federations and inside their countries.<ref name=state-of-play-117/>|name="name-change" |group="note"}}{{#tag:ref |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>{{cite book|pages=152-156|chapter=The Olympics|title=Batter up! : the history of softball in Australia|first=Lynn|last=Embrey|author=Australian Softball Federation.|location=Bayswater, Vic.|publisher=Australian Softball Federation|date=1995}}</ref>|name="other-criteria" |group="note"}}
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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 Zealander's [[Rena Straford]], [[Lorna McOnchie]] and [[Anne Taylor (netball)|Anne Taylor]]. They were supposed to have these issues addressed by a meeting scheduled at the end of 1979.<ref name=state-of-play-119>{{harvnb|Hyland|McHugh|2011|p=119}}</ref>{{#tag:ref |Concurrently to trying to gain Olympic recognition, the organisation was also seeking recognition from the [[Commonwealth Games]].<ref name=state-of-play-119/>|name="common-games" |group="note"}} 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>{{#tag: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/>|name="world-games" |group="note"}}
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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>{{#tag: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/>|name="world-games" |group="note"}} 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/>
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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>{{harvnb|Hyland|McHugh|2011|p=122}}</ref>
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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>{{harvnb|Parliament of New South Wales|21 September 2004|p=11179}}</ref><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=Taylor-14>{{harvnb|Taylor|2001a|p=14}}</ref> and a two year probation period.<ref name="netaus-6"/> This makes it eligible to be played in future Games.<ref name=IFNA-History>{{harvnb|International Federation of Netball Associations}}</ref><ref name=Jones-143>{{harvnb|Jones|2004|p=143}}</ref> One attempt was made in 1989, when Olympic recognition was sought for the West German [[World Games]].<ref name=nnz-2009>{{harvnb|Netball New Zealand|2009}}</ref> This failed.{{#tag:ref |The tournament still took place, with New Zealand winning.<ref name=nnz-2009/>|name="nz-held" |group="note"}}
   
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Recognition of the IFNA has meant national associations could become full members of their countries' national Olympic committees.<ref name=Taylor-67/><ref name="Taylor-14"/> National members of IFNA were able to apply for that recognition by 1993.<ref name="Taylor-14"/> 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|2004|p=11179}}</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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Recognition has meant national associations could become full members of their countries' national Olympic committees.<ref name=Taylor-67/><ref name="Taylor-14"/> National members of [[International Federation of Netball Associations]] (IFNA) were able to apply for that recognition by 1993.<ref name="Taylor-14"/> 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|2004|p=11179}}</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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There have been multiple unsuccessful attempts by the IFNA to include netball in the Summer Olympic Programme.<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 IFNA 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>
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There have been multiple 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>
   
 
The selection of women's team sports for the Olympics may not match participation levels in a country.<ref name="Jones-143"/> 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"/>
  
The selection of women's team sports for the Olympics may not match participation levels in a country.<ref name="Jones-143"/> 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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Some supporters have argued that trying to internationalise the game and have it played in the Summer Olympics has moved netball away from a recreational model and more towards a competitive sport model. This is viewed by some people as potentially detrimental to the game:
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Some supporters have argued that trying to internationalise the game and have it played in the Summer Olympics has moved netball away from a model of women's sport and more towards a male model of competitive sport. This is viewed by some people as potentially detrimental to the game:
 
<blockquote>Geary (1995) has debated whether moves to commercialisation would ultimately benefit netball or women's sport. She speculated that professionalising netball might help challenge traditional structures, which have reinforced sport as a site of exploitation and subordination of women. On the other hand there was a danger that such moves would represent conformation to a male model of sport and merely perpetuate a masculine hegemony of capitalist rationality and female discrimination. Broomhall (1993) argued in favour of the latter, that in striving for greater internationalisation, aiming for Olympic competition, and trying to attract sponsorship, women have moved netball closer to a male model of competitive and aggressive sport.<ref name=Taylor-16>{{harvnb|Taylor|2001a|p=16}}</ref>
  
<blockquote>Geary (1995) has debated whether moves to commercialisation would ultimately benefit netball or women's sport. She speculated that professionalising netball might help challenge traditional structures, which have reinforced sport as a site of exploitation and subordination of women. On the other hand there was a danger that such moves would represent conformation to a male model of sport and merely perpetuate a masculine hegemony of capitalist rationality and female discrimination. Broomhall (1993) argued in favour of the latter, that in striving for greater internationalisation, aiming for Olympic competition, and trying to attract sponsorship, women have moved netball closer to a male model of competitive and aggressive sport.<ref name=Taylor-16>{{harvnb|Taylor|2001a|p=16}}</ref>
 
</blockquote>
  
</blockquote>
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==Funding==
  
==Funding==
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One observer has claimed that the lack of Olympic recognition hampered the globalisation of the game in developing countries<ref name=Crocombe-156>{{harvnb|Crocombe|1992|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"/>
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The lack of Olympic recognition hampered the globalisation of the game in developing countries<ref name=Crocombe-156>{{harvnb|Crocombe|1992|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"/>
   
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Beyond access to funds from the IOC, state and national sporting bodies, and certain governments 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 - Province of British Columbia|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$|497,000}} in funding.<ref name=ascstatus-92/>|name="funding-netball" |group="note"}} In [[British Columbia]], one of the guidelines says that in order to receive funding, "the sport must be on the program for either the 2011 or 2013 Canada Games and/or the next scheduled recognized International Multi-Sport Games (Olympics/Paralympics, Pan American or Commonwealth Games, Special Olympic World Games)".<ref name=cpacdpobc-5/>
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Beyond access to funds from the IOC, state and national sporting bodies, and state and federal governments often use IOC status as a funding criteria. This has been the case in Australia,<ref name=ascstatus-92>{{harvnb|Australian Sport Commission|Office of the Status of Women|1985|p=92}}</ref> and [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]].<ref name=cpacdpobc-5>{{harvnb|Community, Sport and Cultural Development - Province of British Columbia|2010|p=5}}</ref> In 1985, the [[Australian Sports Commission]] and the [[Office of the Status of Women]] identified five criteria for obtaining federal funding.<ref name=ascstatus-92/> One of these was "status as an Olympic sport and its size by registrations."<ref name=ascstatus-92/>{{#tag:ref |Netball qualified for funding because it met the other criteria. From 1980 to 1984, the sport received {{A$|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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The IOC and its related organisations give awards and scholarships.<ref name=netaus-12>{{harvnb|Netball Australia|1996|p=12}}</ref><ref name=ioc-2007-2>{{harvnb|International Olympic Committee|2007|p=2}}</ref> In 1995, the Oceania Olympic Training Centre gave two scholarship to netball players: [[Janaet Snape]] and [[Darlene Marsters]].<ref name="netaus-12"/> The Oceania Olympic Training Centre also made it possible for [[Mona-Lisa Leka]] from [[Papua New Guinea]] to go to Australia to train.<ref name="netaus-12"/> 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.<ref name="ioc-2007-2"/> However, such awards and scholarships neither help nor hinder the IFNA's campaign to add netball to the Olympic programme.
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The IOC and its daughter organisations give awards and scholarships.<ref name=netaus-12>{{harvnb|Netball Australia|1996|p=12}}</ref><ref name=ioc-2007-2>{{harvnb|International Olympic Committee|2007|p=2}}</ref> In 1995, two of the scholarships offered by the Oceania Olympic Training Centre were given to netballers: [[Janaet Snape]] and [[Darlene Marsters]].<ref name="netaus-12"/> The Oceania Olympic Training Centre also made it possible for [[Mona-Lisa Leka]] from [[Papua New Guinea]] to go to Australia to train.<ref name="netaus-12"/> 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.<ref name="ioc-2007-2"/>
   
 
==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, media attention is allocated to sports on factors other than grassroots participation.<ref name="Jones-143"/><ref name="Massoa-120"/> Historically, coverage of women's team sports at 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"/>
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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"/>
   
 
==National associations==
  
==National associations==
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==Bibliography==
  
==Bibliography==
 
{{refbegin|2}}
  
{{refbegin|2}}
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* {{Cite news |author=BBC |title=Mentor wants netball at Olympics |url=http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/netball/9340125.stm?ad=1 |date=6 January 2011 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
 
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* {{Cite web |author=Community, Sport and Cultural Development - Province of British Columbia |title=BC ATHLETE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 2010 - 2011 Provincial Sport Organization Guidelines, Policies and Procedures |url=http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/sport/docs/athletedev/2010_2011_bc_aap_pso_guidelines_policies_and_procedures.pdf |year=2011 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
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* {{Cite web |author=Dominica Olympic Committee |title=History |url=http://www.doc.dm/history.htm |date=24 April 2010 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
  
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* {{Cite web |author=First National Bank |title=School Sport LOCAL SPORT INITIATIVES |url=https://www.fnb.co.za/about-fnb/sponsorships-and-events/soccer-classic-clashes.html |year=2010 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
  
* {{Cite web |author=First National Bank |title=School Sport LOCAL SPORT INITIATIVES |url=https://www.fnb.co.za/about-fnb/sponsorships-and-events/soccer-classic-clashes.html |year=2010 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
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* {{cite book|last1=Hyland|first2=Dorothy|last2=McHugh|title=Netball state of play : IFNA 50 years history challenge future|first1=Deirdre|publisher=Deirdre Hyland AM and Dorothy McHugh OAM|location=Sherwood, Qld.|year=2011|isbn= 978-0-646-55640-6|oclc=730045319 |ref=harv}}
 
* {{Cite web |author=International Federation of Netball Associations |title=About IFNA |url=http://www.netball.org/ifna.aspx |accessdate=7 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
  
* {{Cite web |author=International Federation of Netball Associations |title=About IFNA |url=http://www.netball.org/ifna.aspx |accessdate=7 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
 
* {{Cite web |author=International Olympic Committee |title=IOC 2007 WOMEN & SPORT TROPHY WINNERS |url=http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Olympism_in_action/Women_and_sport/infowinners-eng-2007IOCWomen_SportTrophy.pdf |year=2007 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
  
* {{Cite web |author=International Olympic Committee |title=IOC 2007 WOMEN & SPORT TROPHY WINNERS |url=http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Olympism_in_action/Women_and_sport/infowinners-eng-2007IOCWomen_SportTrophy.pdf |year=2007 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
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* {{cite journal |last=Jones |first=Diane |title= Half the Story? Olympic Women on the ABC News Online |url=http://eprints.usq.edu.au/608/2/Jones_MIA_2004_PV.pdf |journal=Media International Australia incorporating Culture and Policy |number=110 |pages=132–146 |month=February |year=2004 |accessdate=15 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
  
* {{cite journal |last=Jones |first=Diane |title= Half the Story? Olympic Women on the ABC News Online |url=http://eprints.usq.edu.au/608/2/Jones_MIA_2004_PV.pdf |journal=Media International Australia incorporating Culture and Policy |number=110 |pages=132–146 |month=February |year=2004 |accessdate=15 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
 
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* {{Cite book |author=Ministry of Education & Culture |title=Annual report - Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Ministry of Education and Culture. |publisher=Ministry of Education & Culture |year=1970 |oclc=1793427 |ref=harv}}
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* {{Cite book |last1=Massoa |first1=Prisca |last2=Fasting |first2=Kari |editor1-last=Pfister |editor1-first=Gertrud |editor2-last=Hartmann-Tews |editor2-first=Ilse |title=Sport and Women: Social Issues in International Perspective |chapter=Women and sport in Tanzania |series=International Society for Comparative Physical Education & Sport |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2002 |month=December |isbn=0415246288 |ref=harv}}
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* {{Cite book |last1=Massoa |first1=Prisca |last2=Fasting |first2=Kari |editor1-last=Pfister |editor1-first=Gertrud |editor2-last=Hartmann-Tews |editor2-first=Ilse |title=Sport and Women: Social Issues in International Perspective |chapter=Women and sport in Tanzania |series=International Society for Comparative Physical Education & Sport |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2002 |month=December |isbn=0-415-24628-8 |ref=harv}}
 
* {{Cite web |author=Netball Australia |title=All Australian Netball Association 1995 Annual Report |url=https://secure.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/139641/Netball_Australia_Annual_Report_1995.pdf |date=1 March 1996 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
  
* {{Cite web |author=Netball Australia |title=All Australian Netball Association 1995 Annual Report |url=https://secure.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/139641/Netball_Australia_Annual_Report_1995.pdf |date=1 March 1996 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
 
* {{Cite web |author=Netball New Zealand |title=History |url=http://www.mynetball.co.nz/netball-nz/about-netball/111-history.html |date=3 August 2009 |accessdate=25 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
  
* {{Cite web |author=Netball New Zealand |title=History |url=http://www.mynetball.co.nz/netball-nz/about-netball/111-history.html |date=3 August 2009 |accessdate=25 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
 
* {{cite hansard |jurisdiction=Parliament of New South Wales | url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20040921018 | house=Legislative Assembly | date=21 September 2004 | column_start=11179 | column_end=11179 |speaker=Alison Megarrity |ref=harv}}
  
* {{cite hansard |jurisdiction=Parliament of New South Wales | url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20040921018 | house=Legislative Assembly | date=21 September 2004 | column_start=11179 | column_end=11179 |speaker=Alison Megarrity |ref=harv}}
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* {{Cite book |last1=Pfister |first1=Gertrud |last2=Hartmann-Tews |first2=Ilse |editor1-last=Pfister |editor1-first=Gertrud |editor2-last=Hartmann-Tews |editor2-first=Ilse |title=Sport and Women: Social Issues in International Perspective |chapter=Women's inclusion in sport, International and comparative findings |pages=267–280 |series=International Society for Comparative Physical Education & Sport |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2002 |month=December |isbn=0-415-24628-8 |ref=harv}}
 
* {{Cite news |author=Samoa Observer |title=Samoa prepares for World netball series |publisher=''Samoa Observer'' |url=http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2424:samoa-prepares-for-world-netball-series&catid=34:sports&Itemid=54 |date=18 December 2008 |accessdate=1 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
  
* {{Cite news |author=Samoa Observer |title=Samoa prepares for World netball series |publisher=''Samoa Observer'' |url=http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2424:samoa-prepares-for-world-netball-series&catid=34:sports&Itemid=54 |date=18 December 2008 |accessdate=1 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
 
* {{Cite news |author=Shooting for Success |title=IFNA Recognition Confirmed |publisher=International Federation of Netball Associations |url=http://www.netball.org/documents/newsletter/July%202004.pdf |year=2004 |month=July |accessdate=24 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
  
* {{Cite news |author=Shooting for Success |title=IFNA Recognition Confirmed |publisher=International Federation of Netball Associations |url=http://www.netball.org/documents/newsletter/July%202004.pdf |year=2004 |month=July |accessdate=24 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
 
* {{Cite web |author=Singapore National Olympic Council |title=National Sport Associations |url=http://www.snoc.org.sg/nsa.php |year=2011 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
  
* {{Cite web |author=Singapore National Olympic Council |title=National Sport Associations |url=http://www.snoc.org.sg/nsa.php |year=2011 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |ref=harv}}
 
* {{Cite journal |last1=Smartt |first1=Pam |last2=Chalmers |first2=David |title=Obstructing the goal? Hospitalisation for netball injury in New Zealand 2000–2005 |journal=The New Zealand Medical Journal |date=29 January 2009 |volume=122 |number=1288 |url=http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/122-1288/3438/ |ref=harv}}
  
* {{Cite journal |last1=Smartt |first1=Pam |last2=Chalmers |first2=David |title=Obstructing the goal? Hospitalisation for netball injury in New Zealand 2000–2005 |journal=The New Zealand Medical Journal |date=29 January 2009 |volume=122 |number=1288 |url=http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/122-1288/3438/ |ref=harv}}
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* {{Cite book |last1=Symons |first1=Carol |last2=Hemphill |first2=Dennis |editor1-last=Caudwell|editor1-first=Jayne |title=Sport, sexualities and queer/theory |chapter=Netball and transgender participation |publisher=[[Routledge]] |series=Routledge Critical Studies in Sport |year=2006 |month=November |pages=122–124 |isbn=0415367611 |ref=harv}}
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* {{Cite book |last1=Symons |first1=Carol |last2=Hemphill |first2=Dennis |editor1-last=Caudwell|editor1-first=Jayne |title=Sport, sexualities and queer/theory |chapter=Netball and transgender participation |publisher=[[Routledge]] |series=Routledge Critical Studies in Sport |year=2006 |month=November |pages=122–124 |isbn=0-415-36761-1 |ref=harv}}
 
* {{cite journal |last=Taylor |first=Tracy |title=Gendering Sport: The Development of Netball in Australia |url=http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SportingTraditions/2001/st1801/ST1801i.pdf |journal=Sporting Traditions, Journal of the Australian Society for Sports History |volume=18 |issue=1 |year=2001 |month=November |pages=57–74 |ref=harv}}
  
* {{cite journal |last=Taylor |first=Tracy |title=Gendering Sport: The Development of Netball in Australia |url=http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SportingTraditions/2001/st1801/ST1801i.pdf |journal=Sporting Traditions, Journal of the Australian Society for Sports History |volume=18 |issue=1 |year=2001 |month=November |pages=57–74 |ref=harv}}
 
* {{cite journal |last=Taylor |first=Tracy |title=Netball in Australia: A Social History |url=http://www.business.uts.edu.au/lst/research/publications/workingpapers/wp2taylor.pdf |journal=Working Paper Series |publisher=School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism, UTS |number=2 |year=2001a |pages=1–22 |ref=harv}}
  
* {{cite journal |last=Taylor |first=Tracy |title=Netball in Australia: A Social History |url=http://www.business.uts.edu.au/lst/research/publications/workingpapers/wp2taylor.pdf |journal=Working Paper Series |publisher=School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism, UTS |number=2 |year=2001a |pages=1–22 |ref=harv}}
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* {{cite news|last=Wu|first=Andrew|title=Games changer|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/olympics-2012/games-changer-20120608-201e7.html|accessdate=26 June 2012|date=9 June 2012|location=Sydney, Australia|ref=harv}}
 
{{refend}}
  
{{refend}}
   

Revision as of 22:09, 26 June 2012

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

Netball is an Olympic recognised sport, a status attained in 1995 after a twenty year period of lobbying. It has never been played at the Summer Olympics, but recognition means that it could be included at some point in the future. Its exclusion was seen by the netball community as a hindrance to the global growth of the game, depriving it of media attention and funding. When the sport gained recognition, it opened up sources of funds that the global netball community had not been able to access before, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), national Olympic committees and sports organisations, and state and federal governments.

Women's sport at the Olympics

Main article: 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]

Exclusion of netball from the Summer Olympics is part of a pattern of exclusion of women's sports.[2] For example, women's cycling was excluded for many years despite having world championships organised by 1958.[2] Field hockey, a sport included for men as early as 1908, was not open to competition by women until 1980.[2] Lawn bowls is a popular women's sport that has been included in the Commonwealth Games for many years, but has not made the Olympic programme.[2] While primarily a sport for women, netball allows for mixed teams,[3][4] but the Olympics do not allow mixed gender team sports.[2][note 1]

The issues facing netball are part of a larger problem involving female participation in the Olympics.[2] At 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.[6] Even at the 2000 Summer Olympics, there were still sports that excluded women, such as boxing, wrestling and baseball.[6] The sports Rugby sevens and golf, primarily played men, were chosen for inclusion in the Rio Olympics ahead of netball.[1] That netball is played mostly by women is also seen as problematic as the IOC is looking for greater gender balance "netball being a female-dominated sport could be a hindrance."[7]

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.[6] The importance of being part of the Summer Olympics is illustrated by softball, and the benefits the sport derived from its inclusion.[8] This included additional media coverage, especially during Olympic years.[8] Olympic recognition plays an important part in getting sponsorship for local competitions around the world[9] and providing new opportunities for females.[9]

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[10]

Efforts to gain Olympic recognition started in 1967, at the time when 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. There were split opinions inside the newly formed organisation as to whether or not this was a goal worth striving for, but it was ultimately decided this was an objective worth working towards. The Federation's first application was rejected because application 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.[11] This rationale for this rejection was one of the driving factors in changing the name of the sport and the Federation.[11][note 2][note 3]


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 Zealander's Rena Straford, Lorna McOnchie and Anne Taylor. They were supposed to have these issues addressed by a meeting scheduled at the end of 1979.[13][note 4] 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."[14][note 5]

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[14], 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.[15][note 5] 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.[15]

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.[15] 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.[16]

In 1995, netball became a permanent Olympic recognised sport.[17][18][19][20][21] after a twenty year period of lobbying[18][22] and a two year probation period.[20] This makes it eligible to be played in future Games.[23][24] One attempt was made in 1989, when Olympic recognition was sought for the West German World Games.[25] This failed.[note 6]

Recognition has meant national associations could become full members of their countries' national Olympic committees.[18][22] National members of International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) were able to apply for that recognition by 1993.[22] The All Australia Netball Association is one national organisation that has become a full member of their national Olympic committee.[19] In 2004, International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition of the IFNA was renewed.[26] The IFNA has made Olympic recognition part of its long term strategy towards continuing to grow the game.[26]

There have been multiple attempts by netball supporters to get the sport played in the Summer Olympics.[10][19][27] In 1996, the netball leadership actively pursued the possibility of netball being played at the 2000 Summer Olympics.[27] The government of New South Wales encouraged the Australian Olympic Committee to lobby for the inclusion of netball in the 2008 Beijing Olympic games.[19] 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.[10] The earliest the sport could be included on the programme would be 2024.[7]

The selection of women's team sports for the Olympics may not match participation levels in a country.[24] In Australia for example, 245,300 women and girls play basketball, hockey, soccer, softball and volleyball, compared to 319,500 who play netball.[24]

Some supporters have argued that trying to internationalise the game and have it played in the Summer Olympics has moved netball away from a model of women's sport and more towards a male model of competitive sport. This is viewed by some people as potentially detrimental to the game:

Geary (1995) has debated whether moves to commercialisation would ultimately benefit netball or women's sport. She speculated that professionalising netball might help challenge traditional structures, which have reinforced sport as a site of exploitation and subordination of women. On the other hand there was a danger that such moves would represent conformation to a male model of sport and merely perpetuate a masculine hegemony of capitalist rationality and female discrimination. Broomhall (1993) argued in favour of the latter, that in striving for greater internationalisation, aiming for Olympic competition, and trying to attract sponsorship, women have moved netball closer to a male model of competitive and aggressive sport.[28]

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.[5] The table created in the documentation for this meeting is provided below[5]:

Name Example Conditions to be met for inclusion in the Olympic Games[5]
Federation Fédération Internationale de Natation Administer one or several sports at world level and encompass organisations administering such sports at national level (national federations)[5]
Have statutes, practice and activities in conformity with the Olympic Charter[5]
Have adopted and implemented the World Anti-Doping Code[5]
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[5]
For the Winter Games: be widely practised in at least 20 countries on three continents[5]
Have adopted and implemented the World Anti-Doping Code[5]
Be admitted to the programme seven years before the Olympic Games[5]
Discipline Diving Have a recognised international standing[5]
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[5]
For the Winter Games: be widely practised in at least 25 countries on three continents[5]
Be admitted to the programme seven years before the Olympic Games[5]
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[5]
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[5]
Be admitted three years before the Olympic Games[5]

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.[26] In 2004, IFNA received a grant of US$10,000 from the IOC for development.[26] IFNA was given an additional US$3,300 a year until 2007 by the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports (ARISF).[26]

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 7] 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.[24][31] Even then, historically, coverage of women's team sports in the Olympics has been limited.[24] Instead, the media focus on female athletes in non-team competitions and on team sports played equally by both genders.[24]

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.[19]

Notes

  1. ^ While team mixed gendered sports are not competed at the Olympics, some mixed gendered 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 gendered events. Single gender events for these sports were not added until a later date.[5]
  2. ^ There was tremendous resistance in Australia and New Zealand to changing the name. The Federation made "major concessions" to both countries to incentivize them to change the name of their national federations and inside their countries.[11]
  3. ^ 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.[12]
  4. ^ Concurrently to trying to gain Olympic recognition, the organisation was also seeking recognition from the Commonwealth Games.[13]
  5. ^ a b 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.[14] Cite error: The named reference "world-games" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. ^ The tournament still took place, with New Zealand winning.[25]
  7. ^ 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 e f Dyer 1982, p. 205
  3. ^ Symons & Hemphill 2006, p. 122
  4. ^ Samoa Observer 2011
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r International Olympic Committee 2008, p. 5
  6. ^ a b c Pfister & Hartmann-Tews 2002, p. 274
  7. ^ a b Wu & 9 June 2012
  8. ^ a b Taylor 2001a, p. 15
  9. ^ a b First National Bank 2010
  10. ^ a b c Jordan 2011
  11. ^ a b c Hyland & McHugh 2011, p. 117
  12. ^ Embrey, Lynn (1995). "The Olympics". Batter up! : the history of softball in Australia. Bayswater, Vic.: Australian Softball Federation. pp. 152–156. More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)
  13. ^ a b Hyland & McHugh 2011, p. 119
  14. ^ a b c Hyland & McHugh 2011, p. 120
  15. ^ a b c d Hyland & McHugh 2011, p. 121
  16. ^ Hyland & McHugh 2011, p. 122
  17. ^ Smartt & Chalmers 2009
  18. ^ a b c Taylor 2001, p. 67
  19. ^ a b c d e Parliament of New South Wales & 21 September 2004, p. 11179 Cite error: The named reference "PofNSW-11179" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  20. ^ a b Netball Australia 1996, p. 6
  21. ^ Hyland & McHugh 2011, p. 124
  22. ^ a b c Taylor 2001a, p. 14
  23. ^ International Federation of Netball Associations
  24. ^ a b c d e f Jones 2004, p. 143
  25. ^ a b Netball New Zealand 2009
  26. ^ a b c d e Shooting for Success 2004, p. 1
  27. ^ a b Netball Australia 1996, p. 7
  28. ^ Taylor 2001a, p. 16
  29. ^ International Olympic Committee 2008, p. 1
  30. ^ a b c d Crocombe 1992, 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 - Province of British Columbia 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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