Netball’s feminist origins and Olympic ambitions detailed in new report
8 reported
A new report traces netball's origins to late-Victorian England, where Swedish suffragist Martina Bergman Osterberg pioneered the sport as a by-product of her physical education college. The sport, derived from basketball, was developed by teenagers and initially called basketball before formal rules were established in 1901. Netball is set to feature in the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, but its leaders are also pushing for Olympic inclusion at Brisbane 2032. The report notes that netball has 13 million players globally, with England having the most active players at three million. The sport's professional era is advancing, with elite teams moving to major arenas and salaries improving, though rank-and-file players in the UK often work second jobs. World Netball president Dame Liz Nicholl stated that Olympic inclusion could "future-proof it for the generations to come."
What’s reported
Netball was derived from basketball and developed by teenagers in late-Victorian England.
Martina Bergman Osterberg, a Swedish suffragist, pioneered netball as a by-product of her physical education college.
The sport's first formal rules were established in 1901, and it was globally standardized to seven-a-side in 1960.
Netball has 13 million players globally; England has three million active players.
The Netball Super League is two years into a 10-year pathway to professionalism.
Attendances jumped by 45% in the first year of the professional journey.
World Netball president Dame Liz Nicholl said Olympic inclusion could "future-proof it for the generations to come."
A decision on Olympic inclusion for Brisbane 2032 is expected soon.
Key figures
Martina Bergman Osterberg: Swedish suffragist and physical education college pioneer.
Margaret Henley: Netball historian and lecturer from the University of Auckland.
Dame Liz Nicholl: World Netball president and former UK Sport CEO.
Chelsea Pitman: Commonwealth gold medallist with England in 2018 and head coach at Nottingham Forest.
Anna Stembridge: England head coach.
Stormzy: British rap superstar who ripped ligaments in his fingers playing netball.
Sources: BBC News
