The international netball community is attempting to lobby the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include netball on the Olympic Program for 2016 and beyond.
 
You can help us by adding your message of support. Send this email to friends, family and other netball lovers who would like to see their favourite sport featured on the global sporting stage.

 Thank you for your support!

Background

•      There are 26 core sports on the London 2012 Olympic program.

•      Sports can submit their interest to be considered by the IOC for inclusion on the 2016 Games program.

•      In 2005, five sports - squash, karate, rugby 7s, golf and roller sports - applied for inclusion but were not successful.

•      In 2007, the IOC simplified the system with a minimum of 25-26 core sports and a maximum of 28 sports to be featured at each Games.

•      This new process will commence in October 2009 at the IOC session in Denmark. The same 26 sports on the London 2012 program will also be put forward for 2016.

•      Netball, through the International Federation, will be lobbying for an opportunity to be considered as an additional sport for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

•      The agenda for the October 2009 IOC Session must be set by December 31, 2008.

•      Netball participants, supporters, fans, government and corporate partners are urged to join this call to action and support netball’s inclusion on the Olympic program.
 

Submissions

There are two ways to show your support for netball in the Olympics.

1. Add your name and message of support to the ‘Call to Action’ on Netball Australia Website http://www.netball.asn.au/promotion.asp?id=8.

2. Make a formal submission to the 2009 Virtual Olympic Congress via the link

http://www.2009congress.olympic.org/en/Pages/default.aspx

What to include in your Submission or Message

•      Over 20 million people enjoy playing netball every day in more than 70 countries across five regions: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

•      Netball has a growing base of close to 60 formal members, national associations who are affiliated to the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA).

•      Netball is a core sport in the Commonwealth Games and has ‘recognised status’ from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

•      Netball is a proven vehicle for the empowerment of all participants.

•      The netball community holds a position of credibility and influence within the international women’s agenda.

•      The Olympic Games provides a global platform to showcase the sport to traditional and emerging audiences.

•      The value of netball to the Commonwealth Games program was highlighted in 2006 when the gold medal match between Australia and New Zealand was the showcase final broadcast event and tickets to all netball matches sold out within hours.

•      Whilst female participation in the Olympic Games has grown increasingly within the last two decades, only 4,746 of the total 11,196 athletes (42%) at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games were women.

•      The IOC has constantly played a complementary role to set up a positive trend to enhance women`s participation in sport at all levels, particularly in the last decades.

•      The IOC has recognised the positive contribution that sport can make to the well-being of women and the development of women`s sports clubs and associations around the world.