Olympics
20 hours ago
100k back the bid: Should netball be in the Olympics?
The chance to play in a home Olympics is giving Giants star Sophie Dwyer extra motivation to be in her prime when the 2032 Games in Brisbane come around.
Netball has made no secret of its ambition to be included in the Olympics and their petition to the IOC has garnered over 100,000 signatures.
The sport has never been included in the Olympic or Paralympic program despite being recognised by the IOC since 1995.
With Australia set to play hot to the world’s elite athletes in six years’ time, Netball Australia has launched a “Back the Bid” campaign pushing for inclusion in the forthcoming cycle.
Dwyer, who made her SSN debut in 2020 and first played for the Diamonds in 2022, insists including netball in 2032 is a no brainer given it is one of the highest participation sports in Australia.
“The decision is coming soon which is why it’s important to push the bid,” she told SEN 1170.
“We have over 100k that have signed (the petition). It’s the top female sport in Australia so we have to keep pushing.
“There’s a bit of time to make the decision, but we are close to crunch time.”
Dwyer is hopeful that six years from now will see her coming into her netball prime and that if the Olympic push proves successful, she would be in contention to represent her country.
“I’ll still be around hopefully,” she continued. “Going to the Olympics would be next level, if it’s going to the Olympics I would definitely want to be there.
“Especially for netball which has never been there before. Once it’s there once we can see what happens after that.
“On a personal level it’s extra motivation 2032 because hopefully I will be in the prime of my career and still going.”
Cricket, surf life saving and some form of motorsport are also up for consideration for the Brisbane edition of the Games.
