World netball remains steadfast in its goal of securing the sport’s inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. As the leading sport among women and girls in Australia, the international federation sees a historic opportunity to establish its presence on the Olympic stage. World Netball CEO Fiona Harold, along with Netball Australia (NA) CEO Stacey West and NA President Liz Ellis, recently met with Brisbane 2032 CEO Cindy Hook and Sports Director Brendan Keane to advance this process.

Harold acknowledged the challenges of including netball in the Olympic program, particularly given the competition from other sports vying for a spot. However, she emphasized the importance of giving netball a fair chance, especially in a country where the sport enjoys immense popularity. “It won’t be easy, but we are here and ready to overcome any obstacles,” Harold stated, highlighting netball’s significance to Australia and its potential as a gold-medal event.

A PATH OF EXPANSION

As part of its expansion strategy, World Netball has been working to broaden the sport’s international presence, moving beyond its traditional Commonwealth base and reaching new audiences. This aligns with the federation’s Play strategy, which aims to position netball in high-profile events and strengthen its global impact.

In this context, World Netball has also welcomed the recent election of Kirsty Coventry as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), making her the first woman to hold the position. World Netball President Dame Liz Nicholl congratulated Coventry and highlighted her support for the sport in recent years. The former Zimbabwean swimmer has recognized netball’s growth beyond its historical strongholds and the importance of expanding its global reach. The federation hopes to work closely with Coventry and the IOC to continue advancing its Olympic bid, convinced that netball has the credentials to be part of Brisbane 2032.