To ask why netball isn't an Olympic sport?

[Catspaws]

Have really got into it watching the commonwealth games and can't understand why it's not an Olympic sport!

It's the most widely-played women's sport in most commonwealth countries AND it would be a really democratic one to promote and encourage because it doesn't need lots of expensive equipment.

I'd love to see it at the olympics, it's been my favourite thing to watch the last week!

For the people worried about the what the poor men might do if there is another women only sport, its worth pointing out that in sailing, rowing, canoeing, shooting etc. there were more men's categories than women's.

Even with the additional women only activities they awarded more medals to men last time (161 events for men, 136 events for women, 9 mixed). Plenty of space for another women only activity - although netball could clearly be for both men and women.

The US basically. They have been rubbish at even trying to implement the sport over their country.

I don't see what it is the US duty to implement a sport. If it doesn't catch on, so be it. They have a very similar sport, basketball, played by both sexes, and is very popular globally.

Re: comment on ice hockey. Ice hockey is about as niche as skiing, and it's niche insofar as it is basically played in cold countries, like skiing. I think ice hockey is only viewed as niche on this thread because we are in the UK. It's a very reasonable winter olympic sport.

I am american, and have lived in Canada, and I only heard of netball since I coming to the UK. I know next to nothing about the sport, but it seems to be a static version of basketball, which also might be a reason why it has trouble catching on in the US (or Canada).

I don't think I could ever call it boring after watching commonwealth netball. It's so fast paced and agile. Very different to how I remember it from school when I was absolutely terrible at it

Saying that basketball is too similar to netball is like saying that football is too close to rugby!

Saying that basketball is too similar to netball is like saying that football is too close to rugby!

Really? I don't claim to know anything about netball, but it sure looks a bit like basketball. In fact, it was also derived from basketball.

They are similar, though. The only major gameplay difference being that you don’t move with the ball in netball.

In the 14 netball World Cups since 1963, only 6 countries have won a medal. The last five finals have been between New Zealand and Australia.

By comparison, the past three women’s basketball World Championships have had five different countries medal, and different finals each time.

To get an event into the Olympics you need to convince representatives from many different countries to vote it in. That’s just not going to happen if it’s a sport only played by a handful of countries.

Also by comparison baseball, which was mentioned upthread as an American only sport, is huge across Latin America, Japan, S Korea, Taiwan, as well as the US. There’s 24 different nationalities playing professionally in the MLB. That includes five European countries. Just because we play netball at school doesn’t mean anyone else in there world really gives a shit.

Only 8 different countries appear to have won medals in ice hockey since 1963.

There are at least a few other countries that would put up a pretty tough team if it were to become an olympic sport...like the USA and China.

Because it’s played predominantly by Commonwealth countries only

You spelt 'women' wrong.

Only 8 different countries appear to have won medals in ice hockey since 1963.

two of them are Russia (USSR) and USA. Big countries.

because it's utterly boring.
And yes, I have played it.

You weren’t doing it right. HTH.

To the poster who said it was boring .

It's not. You probably just weren't very good at it.

Why on Earth are people not allowed to find things boring FFS? Saying she can’t have been good if she found it boring. How rude of you. Newsflash: not everyone shares your opinion.

I find netball boring, although I agree the final was very exciting. My dds who are extremely sporty found it frustrating to play. We all prefer basketball, and netball is so so similar.

Dd3 particularly hates it as its the 'girls option' at her school whereas the boys get to play football (which she loves)

Because it's played mainly by women

So is synchronised swimming!

*To the poster who said it was boring .

It's not. You probably just weren't very good at it.* oh bit unfair to assume that theres lots of activities that some people find intresting and others dont does not make them inherently
this is the process The Tokyo 2020 committee listed the following criteria for new sports: added value; youth appeal; attractiveness for TV, media and the general public; gender equality; minimum impact on the number of events and/or quotas, infrastructure and operational costs and complexity. it fails gender equality

cricket one of if not the most popular sport in the world.

Equestrianism is one of the only sports where men and women compete against each other. It may be exclusive at that level but look at how many children love riding, even once a year on holiday. It's a great spectator sport also.

I'd rather watch paint dry than watch cricket so boring is all in the eye of the spectator!

I just hope that the coverage generated by the Roses amazing triumph continues to help the sport grow.

My DS loved playing it at primary school and was gutted when he had to give up at comp. Maybe this will help broaden the appeal. Although having played in a couple of "fun" mixed tournaments I can't say I'd personally do it on a regular basis!

opionated Cricket isn’t the most popular sport in the world. They don’t really play it in Europe or America. It’s a primarily Commonwealth sport.