The Queensland Parliamentary Friends of Netball (QPFN), launched in 2023, was front and centre of an event on Wednesday where members of parliament joined representatives from Netball Queensland, the Queensland Firebirds, the Sunshine Coast Lightning and the Queensland Suns Men’s and Mixed Netball at Parliament House.
As part of separate memorandums of understanding between NQ and the Lightning and NQ and the Queensland Suns, the QPFN allows all organisations to work collaboratively to grow netball across the state.
Under the program, Queensland’s 93 State MPs are invited to join as a Friend of Netball.
Alongside the event, NQ released a special document “The Future of Netball in Queensland” outlining the organisation’s priorities from 2025 to 2027 for the longer-term aspirations of netball in the state and in the lead up to the 2027 World Cup to be held in Sydney.
“This document is an articulation of the impact we want to make, the ideas we want to implement, and the leadership we want to show in growing netball in this great state, and beyond,” NQ chief executive Kate Davies said.
“Netball in Queensland is seeking to grow and develop the game in the face of fierce competition from the traditional male codes.
“We don’t want to claw back the competition – we embrace the competition for talent and are proud that netball, as the pioneering sport for women and girls, remains the number one team sport for women and girls across the country.”
Among the priorities outlined in the document are desires to invest in regional communities and potentially take a Super Netball fixture outside of the state’s south-east as well as deliver impactful initiatives such as our First Nations Diamond Spirit Program and the Queensland Gems – the state team for women with intellectual disabilities.
Community infrastructure priorities across the state including court resurfacing, lighting and all-weather courts and growing the game by increasing our capacity and capability to welcome boys and men into netball are other elements of the document.
“We need to work harder than ever to be the sport of choice for women and girls and put more energy into learning from others as we welcome and embrace a participation and audience base more inclusive and reflective of our society – participation by First Nations, men and boys and people with a disability,” Davies said.
“In 2024 we are aspiring to reach the target of 63,000 unique registered members. We are setting the ambitious target that come 2032, we want to have 100,000 unique registered members.”
Champion netballer and former Firebirds and Australian Diamonds captain Laura Geitz believed the priorities document was a welcome statement of intent leading into netball’s centenary in 2027 and that year’s World Cup.
“For almost 100 years netball has staged the safe spaces and places for girls and women of all ages to come together over a shared love of the game and community, to develop skills on and off the court, embrace the thrill of competition and achievement, and build life-long connections and friendships,” Geitz said.
“Netball Queensland has big plans and aspirations as the organisation strives to be the most played and supported sport in Queensland, and I will continue to support this organisation in the best ways I can.”
The Future of Netball in Queensland document is available online here.
