The power of the host nation can’t be underestimated.
It has been one year since World Netball (WN) and Netball Australia’s (NA) first engagement with the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, and since then WN and NA have continued to work tirelessly behind the scenes in their pursuit for inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
NA have been fundamental to the process, and as explained in our recent ‘5 reasons why netball belongs in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games’ article, netball’s strong host nation presence is hard to ignore.
NA commissioned a large, robust survey of the views of Australians, with independent researchers Insightfully surveying more than 3000 Australians for the comprehensive study.
It shows 66% of Australians want netball included in the sports played at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
The research also confirms Australians choose netball as the sport they “definitely” want included in Brisbane 2032 – more than any other sport.
The polling also shows almost nearly one in three Australians (31%) say they’ll buy a ticket to watch netball in the Olympic Games at Brisbane.
NA Chair Liz Ellis AO said: “Netball is Australia’s most popular female team sport, making it the perfect choice for inclusion as the host nation.
“We know Australians back netball’s bid.
“More Australians choose netball as the sport they “definitely” want included in Brisbane 2032 – more than any other sport.”
“Public demand is deafening and packed stadiums are guaranteed,” she said.
Across Queensland, the state which will host the Olympics in 2032, nearly 70,000 people play netball and nearly 10,000 Queenslanders volunteer with their local netball club.
Ellis commented: “We’re asking our regional communities and fans to support the bid for netball’s inclusion – it’s time for netball to be at the Olympics – and your help can make it happen.
“We can take the game to the regions, the city, or a combination of both, thrilling fans with exciting, high-energy competition, and without any new major infrastructure investment,”
Netball at the Brisbane Olympics will attract millions of spectators and viewers around the globe.
Netball is a truly global sport: more than 13 million people play netball across 120 countries, and there are millions more fans, officials and volunteers.
“Our bid is gaining momentum here and around the world. More than 110,000 people have pledged their support for our campaign to ‘Back the Bid’, and the numbers are building in Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Americas where netball’s footprint is growing strongly,” Liz Ellis said.
To sign the pledge and back the bid, click here.