Netball fans have rejoiced at the news that the sport will likely be included in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. Media reports have been leaked, claiming that the sport is "near the top of the list" in the priorities for sports joining the 35th Olympiad. The hosting city and committee have been approved for up to six sports that they can add to the games. Cricket, Surf lifesaving, and lawn bowls have also been determined as sports likely to be added to the games in six years. 

This would be the first time that Netball will have been played at the Olympics. Despite having a World Cup and being part of the Commonwealth Games since 1998, the sport has failed on at least four different occasions to enter the Games, being the Atlanta, Beijing, Tokyo, and Paris Games. 

The Australian Netball team, the Diamonds | Source: Netball Australia

The endorsement is seen as a positive sign by Netball Australia, which has garnered more than 11,500 signatures on a petition to join the Brisbane 2032 Games when they were announced back in 2021. Additionally, a survey conducted in January of this year found that 66% of Australians wanted netball in the Olympics, which was more than 10 points higher than any of the other sports that were polled.

However, the news is not entirely positive for Netball fans, as there has been some criticism regarding the fact that, now that the information has been revealed but not confirmed, it jeopardises the chances of Netball making it into the Olympics, which is not something that Netball fans want.

The New Zealand Netball Team, the Silver Ferns, preparing for a Commonwealth Games match | Source: RNZ

Earlier this week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) changed its rules regarding the timeline for when sports get accepted, as well as adjusting the categories that the sport needs to apply to. A formal vote will be held in April at the IOC office in the Dominican Republic