1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,067 Speaker 1: from newstalk ZEDBKS. 3 00:00:13,107 --> 00:00:14,947 Speaker 2: In this country, if you were a young girl and 4 00:00:14,987 --> 00:00:17,787 Speaker 2: you wanted to play sport, you played netball. That was 5 00:00:17,827 --> 00:00:21,587 Speaker 2: the pathway, that was the culture, that was the Saturday ritual. 6 00:00:21,627 --> 00:00:25,387 Speaker 2: But that monopoly is gone. Rugby is booming off the 7 00:00:25,387 --> 00:00:30,547 Speaker 2: back of World Cup success, Football is selling a global dream, Cricket, basketball, 8 00:00:30,627 --> 00:00:36,747 Speaker 2: snow sports, even combat sports offering professional pathways and real money. 9 00:00:36,787 --> 00:00:41,027 Speaker 2: So here is the uncomfortable question. Is netball losing its 10 00:00:41,107 --> 00:00:44,267 Speaker 2: grip on young ki we girls? And if talent is 11 00:00:44,307 --> 00:00:49,027 Speaker 2: spreading across more sports than ever before, is that progress 12 00:00:49,547 --> 00:00:54,387 Speaker 2: or is it quietly weakening one of our traditional sporting powerhouses. 13 00:00:54,427 --> 00:00:57,787 Speaker 2: And have the events of the last twelve months played 14 00:00:57,907 --> 00:01:03,027 Speaker 2: any part in an upswing or a down swing in netball? 15 00:01:03,267 --> 00:01:04,987 Speaker 2: I want to kick this around with you, but joining 16 00:01:05,067 --> 00:01:09,587 Speaker 2: us now Chair of Women in Sport Alteroa, Susan Sawbridge. 17 00:01:09,827 --> 00:01:12,307 Speaker 2: So so let's start with the wide range of options 18 00:01:12,347 --> 00:01:15,547 Speaker 2: available for young females if they want to play some sport. 19 00:01:15,667 --> 00:01:20,707 Speaker 2: Are we witnessing the most diverse era ever for girls 20 00:01:20,707 --> 00:01:21,627 Speaker 2: sport in New Zealand? 21 00:01:22,387 --> 00:01:24,947 Speaker 3: I would say we probably are Actually, Jason, it's true 22 00:01:24,947 --> 00:01:27,507 Speaker 3: that we've got more sporting choices for women and girls 23 00:01:27,547 --> 00:01:30,507 Speaker 3: now than we probably ever have had before, and I 24 00:01:30,547 --> 00:01:34,027 Speaker 3: think that that is something to celebrate. We as you 25 00:01:34,107 --> 00:01:38,067 Speaker 3: just said, we've got opportunities across sports that perhaps I 26 00:01:38,067 --> 00:01:40,147 Speaker 3: don't know, you wouldn't have to go too far back 27 00:01:40,187 --> 00:01:43,147 Speaker 3: in history and people would think, well, I'm not going 28 00:01:43,227 --> 00:01:45,467 Speaker 3: to be watching women playing that sport, or I wouldn't 29 00:01:45,467 --> 00:01:48,907 Speaker 3: be expecting my daughter to be getting involved in that sport. 30 00:01:49,027 --> 00:01:51,667 Speaker 3: But now the opportunity is there, and I think that's 31 00:01:51,667 --> 00:01:54,387 Speaker 3: a really positive thing. What do you think for women 32 00:01:54,387 --> 00:01:56,227 Speaker 3: and girls and for sport more broadly. 33 00:01:55,947 --> 00:01:58,747 Speaker 2: Indeed, what do you think has driven that change. 34 00:02:00,347 --> 00:02:02,107 Speaker 3: I think there's a whole bunch of things, really. I mean, 35 00:02:03,467 --> 00:02:05,587 Speaker 3: I think for a long time there's probably been a 36 00:02:05,627 --> 00:02:11,707 Speaker 3: willingness for young people, no matter what their gender, actually 37 00:02:11,747 --> 00:02:14,867 Speaker 3: to try new things in different sports. I mean, we've 38 00:02:14,907 --> 00:02:18,587 Speaker 3: had more diversity and sport options for boys as well 39 00:02:18,707 --> 00:02:21,347 Speaker 3: in New Zealand. It's not just something that's unique to women, 40 00:02:21,747 --> 00:02:25,067 Speaker 3: but certainly for young girls. It used to be back 41 00:02:25,067 --> 00:02:28,547 Speaker 3: in the day that netball and perhaps hockey were your 42 00:02:28,587 --> 00:02:31,347 Speaker 3: only two options, and now it's much much broader. So 43 00:02:31,387 --> 00:02:33,827 Speaker 3: I think one of the things that probably changes that 44 00:02:33,907 --> 00:02:35,867 Speaker 3: for all of us, and it's a challenge for sport 45 00:02:35,947 --> 00:02:38,627 Speaker 3: as much as an opportunity, is that at your fingertips 46 00:02:38,627 --> 00:02:43,707 Speaker 3: now you can consume every kind of sport in every 47 00:02:43,747 --> 00:02:45,667 Speaker 3: market in the world, not just in New Zealand. You 48 00:02:45,707 --> 00:02:49,987 Speaker 3: get to see an experience sport of all different types, 49 00:02:50,307 --> 00:02:52,827 Speaker 3: and you can see people of all different types participating 50 00:02:52,827 --> 00:02:54,707 Speaker 3: in those sports, and so you start to expect that 51 00:02:54,747 --> 00:02:56,667 Speaker 3: you're going to have the opportunity to do that as well. 52 00:02:57,307 --> 00:03:02,387 Speaker 2: Does greater choice strength in the overall women's sport sporting 53 00:03:02,467 --> 00:03:05,907 Speaker 2: rather ecosystem, or does it dilute the talent poul that's 54 00:03:05,907 --> 00:03:08,307 Speaker 2: already there? In other words, are we growing the number 55 00:03:08,667 --> 00:03:14,947 Speaker 2: of participants to fit the wider variety now available to them? 56 00:03:15,587 --> 00:03:18,867 Speaker 3: We have got We know that participation has continued to 57 00:03:18,947 --> 00:03:23,027 Speaker 3: increase in New Zealand. We're trying to get more women 58 00:03:23,107 --> 00:03:25,907 Speaker 3: and girls active in sport. But if you think about 59 00:03:25,947 --> 00:03:29,747 Speaker 3: the variety that you have, I mean, there's an advantage 60 00:03:30,067 --> 00:03:33,387 Speaker 3: in multi sport participation, right, it's good for you. It's 61 00:03:33,747 --> 00:03:36,387 Speaker 3: particularly when you're younger. It's really great not to specialize 62 00:03:36,387 --> 00:03:38,827 Speaker 3: too young and to be able to stretch your wings 63 00:03:38,867 --> 00:03:42,067 Speaker 3: into lots of different sports, physical literacy and lots of 64 00:03:42,107 --> 00:03:45,227 Speaker 3: different sports. So it's healthy. It stops getting burned out 65 00:03:45,307 --> 00:03:47,707 Speaker 3: too young. So if you're on your path to greatness, 66 00:03:47,707 --> 00:03:49,427 Speaker 3: then I think it's really positive that you get to 67 00:03:49,427 --> 00:03:52,747 Speaker 3: try lots of different sports. It also means you've got 68 00:03:53,587 --> 00:03:57,187 Speaker 3: more girls staying active in a sport that suits them 69 00:03:57,387 --> 00:04:00,827 Speaker 3: and their personality and their interests. You've got more role 70 00:04:00,867 --> 00:04:03,147 Speaker 3: models now, so more people that you can look up to. 71 00:04:03,227 --> 00:04:05,067 Speaker 3: You're more likely to be able to see someone like 72 00:04:05,067 --> 00:04:08,147 Speaker 3: yourself participating in and I can do that too. So 73 00:04:08,187 --> 00:04:11,387 Speaker 3: you think you got Zoe and Grace and Georgia and 74 00:04:11,427 --> 00:04:13,667 Speaker 3: all these women that you can now look up to, 75 00:04:14,387 --> 00:04:18,307 Speaker 3: and you hope that that feeds the investment and the 76 00:04:18,347 --> 00:04:20,987 Speaker 3: interest in women's sports overall as well. 77 00:04:21,667 --> 00:04:23,907 Speaker 2: What do you think this means for the traditional sports? 78 00:04:23,947 --> 00:04:26,467 Speaker 2: Netball is the obvious one for young girls. As I 79 00:04:26,467 --> 00:04:29,427 Speaker 2: said at the start, if you were a young female 80 00:04:29,427 --> 00:04:31,267 Speaker 2: who wanted to play sport, you know, not that long 81 00:04:31,307 --> 00:04:34,867 Speaker 2: ago netball was the default option. It's now not. So 82 00:04:35,787 --> 00:04:41,107 Speaker 2: how flexible, how nimble, how ready to change does netball 83 00:04:41,187 --> 00:04:42,947 Speaker 2: have to be in the scenario. 84 00:04:44,227 --> 00:04:47,147 Speaker 3: It's probably true that Netball isn't the only sport that 85 00:04:47,187 --> 00:04:49,307 Speaker 3: girls have been able to play for a long time. 86 00:04:49,347 --> 00:04:53,067 Speaker 3: Now that this isn't a new thing, that there's more 87 00:04:53,107 --> 00:04:56,827 Speaker 3: options around there for young girls to participate in. But 88 00:04:56,987 --> 00:05:00,707 Speaker 3: what is surely still true is that netball is a 89 00:05:00,827 --> 00:05:05,187 Speaker 3: foundation sport in New Zealand. Right. It's important to generations 90 00:05:05,227 --> 00:05:07,667 Speaker 3: of women and girls in New Zealand, and it remains 91 00:05:07,707 --> 00:05:10,667 Speaker 3: really strong. So for all of this competition that's coming up, 92 00:05:11,027 --> 00:05:13,467 Speaker 3: it's still the number one sport that's played in secondary 93 00:05:13,507 --> 00:05:16,107 Speaker 3: schools in New Zealand. We've got something like I think 94 00:05:16,107 --> 00:05:20,627 Speaker 3: it's around one hundred and forty five thousand participants. Participations 95 00:05:20,707 --> 00:05:22,907 Speaker 3: still going up, So if you think about every weekend, 96 00:05:23,267 --> 00:05:26,707 Speaker 3: there's still thousands of girls lacing up their shoes and 97 00:05:26,787 --> 00:05:30,147 Speaker 3: racing out onto the netball courts, and that's important for 98 00:05:30,227 --> 00:05:32,307 Speaker 3: netball and long term. If you think about the pathway 99 00:05:32,587 --> 00:05:36,987 Speaker 3: community sport today is where your high performance athletes come 100 00:05:37,027 --> 00:05:40,347 Speaker 3: from tomorrow, right, So the strength of the community game 101 00:05:40,427 --> 00:05:44,067 Speaker 3: is still absolutely there and that carries through to high 102 00:05:44,107 --> 00:05:47,467 Speaker 3: performance tomorrow. Another thing I think that's really important to 103 00:05:47,547 --> 00:05:53,147 Speaker 3: remember about netball is that for many women and girls, 104 00:05:53,307 --> 00:05:55,827 Speaker 3: netball is where they started their sporting journeys and they 105 00:05:55,867 --> 00:05:58,667 Speaker 3: still are now. It's been for many of them the 106 00:05:58,707 --> 00:06:01,627 Speaker 3: first leadership experience that lots of women have in sport. 107 00:06:01,667 --> 00:06:03,787 Speaker 3: They might go on to other sports, but they very 108 00:06:03,827 --> 00:06:07,587 Speaker 3: well might have started their leadership experience in netball and 109 00:06:08,227 --> 00:06:10,947 Speaker 3: that sort of legacy matters, and it's been important for 110 00:06:10,987 --> 00:06:13,307 Speaker 3: a really long time. It's where lots of our girls 111 00:06:13,347 --> 00:06:15,827 Speaker 3: first fall in love with sport, and whether they choose 112 00:06:15,867 --> 00:06:19,627 Speaker 3: to stay there or not, if it gets them involved 113 00:06:19,627 --> 00:06:24,547 Speaker 3: in sport, then that's a strength for netball and grassroots. 114 00:06:24,587 --> 00:06:29,107 Speaker 3: Netball continues to be one of the most successful, accessible 115 00:06:29,147 --> 00:06:31,707 Speaker 3: sports that we've got for girls and for young women 116 00:06:31,787 --> 00:06:34,267 Speaker 3: across New Zealand. So all of that, there's a lot 117 00:06:34,307 --> 00:06:37,387 Speaker 3: of positives that are still sitting there behind this game. 118 00:06:37,467 --> 00:06:42,307 Speaker 3: It's I don't think that it's importance is diminishing to 119 00:06:42,947 --> 00:06:46,307 Speaker 3: a point where Netborn New Zealand or anyone that's engaged 120 00:06:46,347 --> 00:06:47,827 Speaker 3: in the sport needs to be in a panic because 121 00:06:47,827 --> 00:06:50,627 Speaker 3: it's so strong across you know, small towns, big cities, 122 00:06:50,947 --> 00:06:53,587 Speaker 3: wherever it might be. There's a huge strength in the sport. 123 00:06:53,987 --> 00:06:56,187 Speaker 2: I think netblen New Zealand themselves what accept It's been 124 00:06:56,227 --> 00:06:58,667 Speaker 2: a difficult twelve months or so for them, but mainly 125 00:06:58,827 --> 00:07:01,587 Speaker 2: in areas at the top level around the Silver Firm's 126 00:07:01,627 --> 00:07:05,827 Speaker 2: coaching situation, recent resignations on the board, the broadcast deal. 127 00:07:06,347 --> 00:07:09,587 Speaker 2: Do you think your average everyday family, when they're looking 128 00:07:09,627 --> 00:07:13,187 Speaker 2: at a sport for their kids to play, takes notice 129 00:07:13,187 --> 00:07:16,347 Speaker 2: of what's happening in the corridors of power or not. 130 00:07:17,667 --> 00:07:19,867 Speaker 3: Well. I doubt that there's been some chat on the 131 00:07:19,907 --> 00:07:23,547 Speaker 3: sidelines right because it's been so well covered. But I 132 00:07:23,587 --> 00:07:26,587 Speaker 3: guess even that the fact that people are so drawn 133 00:07:26,587 --> 00:07:29,467 Speaker 3: into discussion is evidence of passion for the sport in 134 00:07:29,467 --> 00:07:32,907 Speaker 3: the first place. And you don't ever want to downplay 135 00:07:32,947 --> 00:07:37,587 Speaker 3: the importance of a national sporting organization or ever say 136 00:07:37,587 --> 00:07:42,467 Speaker 3: that what any SO does is without impact. But I 137 00:07:42,507 --> 00:07:45,147 Speaker 3: do think you're right. Your day to day participants, they 138 00:07:45,147 --> 00:07:47,987 Speaker 3: can feel a long way away from what's happening at 139 00:07:48,027 --> 00:07:51,427 Speaker 3: the top tables of sport, and so yeah, I'm sure 140 00:07:51,427 --> 00:07:54,387 Speaker 3: that people have noticed it, but they're probably also chatting 141 00:07:54,387 --> 00:07:57,947 Speaker 3: on the sidelines about I don't know, that cracking intercept 142 00:07:57,947 --> 00:07:59,787 Speaker 3: that the wing defence did in the first five minutes 143 00:07:59,827 --> 00:08:01,427 Speaker 3: of the game that they're just watching in front of 144 00:08:01,467 --> 00:08:04,187 Speaker 3: them and their community. You know, that's probably more important 145 00:08:04,267 --> 00:08:08,067 Speaker 3: than vast majority of us are playing sport at a 146 00:08:08,107 --> 00:08:12,427 Speaker 3: community level, and that is the part of sport that's 147 00:08:12,787 --> 00:08:13,907 Speaker 3: going to touch us the most. 148 00:08:14,107 --> 00:08:16,787 Speaker 2: Indeed, very well said. So, once we get to the 149 00:08:16,827 --> 00:08:21,427 Speaker 2: point where where the talented young sports people, both genders, 150 00:08:22,227 --> 00:08:25,267 Speaker 2: all genders, are making decisions about what sport they might 151 00:08:25,347 --> 00:08:28,387 Speaker 2: pursue its it often happens, and I'm sure you've seen it, Susan. 152 00:08:28,427 --> 00:08:30,707 Speaker 2: You know, you know, an athlete can be good at 153 00:08:30,747 --> 00:08:32,627 Speaker 2: about five or six different things and they've got to 154 00:08:32,627 --> 00:08:35,947 Speaker 2: decide what it is. You know. The fact that there 155 00:08:35,987 --> 00:08:39,347 Speaker 2: are you know, so many more options now professional leagues, 156 00:08:40,307 --> 00:08:44,347 Speaker 2: you know, the pathways are multiple. Now, is that a 157 00:08:44,387 --> 00:08:46,227 Speaker 2: battle that all sports have to be aware of in 158 00:08:46,347 --> 00:08:49,187 Speaker 2: terms of making sure that when that very talented athlete 159 00:08:49,227 --> 00:08:52,067 Speaker 2: chooses one of the five, that it's them that they're choosing. 160 00:08:53,667 --> 00:08:57,427 Speaker 3: Yeah, what a problem to have that ms mine. 161 00:08:57,187 --> 00:09:00,107 Speaker 2: Either mine either, don't you worry. Never my experience. 162 00:09:01,027 --> 00:09:02,667 Speaker 3: Imagine to be so good at sport that you can 163 00:09:02,707 --> 00:09:05,907 Speaker 3: pick whatever you want to then be amazing at it. Yeah. 164 00:09:06,547 --> 00:09:08,387 Speaker 3: Is that a problem for all sports? I think it 165 00:09:08,467 --> 00:09:11,427 Speaker 3: probably is true for all sports. In New Zealand, we're 166 00:09:11,427 --> 00:09:13,507 Speaker 3: a small market, So that's always going to be true. 167 00:09:13,507 --> 00:09:15,947 Speaker 3: There's probably a cap to what it is that we're 168 00:09:15,947 --> 00:09:18,747 Speaker 3: able to offer, but we see plenty of our athletes 169 00:09:19,107 --> 00:09:24,587 Speaker 3: might move from from one code to another, or they 170 00:09:24,707 --> 00:09:28,107 Speaker 3: get to As I said, multi sports participation when you're 171 00:09:28,147 --> 00:09:30,307 Speaker 3: young is good for you, right, So you have the 172 00:09:30,427 --> 00:09:33,467 Speaker 3: chance to experience lots of them, Choose the one that 173 00:09:33,507 --> 00:09:36,747 Speaker 3: your heart loves the most and that suits the life 174 00:09:36,747 --> 00:09:39,067 Speaker 3: that you want for yourself, and you get to grab it. 175 00:09:39,107 --> 00:09:41,627 Speaker 3: If you're lucky enough to be in that position. More 176 00:09:41,667 --> 00:09:42,187 Speaker 3: power to you. 177 00:09:42,907 --> 00:09:45,307 Speaker 2: Just to finish in ten years time if we were 178 00:09:45,347 --> 00:09:47,427 Speaker 2: to crystal ball gays and that's all it is. It's 179 00:09:47,467 --> 00:09:50,587 Speaker 2: just a guess, really, but an educated one. What do 180 00:09:50,627 --> 00:09:54,907 Speaker 2: you think the participation landscape will look like for female 181 00:09:54,947 --> 00:09:57,267 Speaker 2: sports people in ten years from now? 182 00:09:58,627 --> 00:10:00,867 Speaker 3: Well, I see what I can look back ten years 183 00:10:00,907 --> 00:10:02,707 Speaker 3: and if you think about how much further we might 184 00:10:02,747 --> 00:10:06,147 Speaker 3: have to go from there. So when Whisper was founded, 185 00:10:06,547 --> 00:10:09,627 Speaker 3: if you googled women in sport in New Zealand something 186 00:10:09,627 --> 00:10:12,587 Speaker 3: specific to New Zealand, not a lot came up. Right, 187 00:10:12,627 --> 00:10:15,507 Speaker 3: There wasn't much there. Now there's absolutely loads. We've had 188 00:10:16,067 --> 00:10:19,147 Speaker 3: three World Cups, we had the International Working Group for 189 00:10:19,187 --> 00:10:22,467 Speaker 3: Women in Sport. And I think if you went to, say, 190 00:10:22,467 --> 00:10:24,787 Speaker 3: if you went to the Rugby World Cup final which 191 00:10:24,787 --> 00:10:27,307 Speaker 3: the Black Ferns took home, if you went to opening 192 00:10:27,347 --> 00:10:29,467 Speaker 3: game of fee for women's World Cups, you know you 193 00:10:29,547 --> 00:10:32,387 Speaker 3: can't say now that no one wants to watch women's sport. 194 00:10:32,627 --> 00:10:34,947 Speaker 3: That no one can argue that point anymore. You can't 195 00:10:34,987 --> 00:10:38,387 Speaker 3: say it's dull because those games are amazing. But still 196 00:10:38,747 --> 00:10:40,347 Speaker 3: and these are the things that you hope a good 197 00:10:40,347 --> 00:10:42,547 Speaker 3: shift in the next ten years. But they'll only shift 198 00:10:42,547 --> 00:10:46,027 Speaker 3: if we keep the foot to the floor is if 199 00:10:46,067 --> 00:10:49,947 Speaker 3: you go to women's sports, you still probably expecting, in 200 00:10:49,987 --> 00:10:52,627 Speaker 3: our pay far less to attend than you would go 201 00:10:52,667 --> 00:10:55,547 Speaker 3: to a men's game. We still haven't got the same 202 00:10:55,627 --> 00:10:59,347 Speaker 3: level of commercial support slash sponsorship, tricky for everyone, but 203 00:10:59,427 --> 00:11:02,867 Speaker 3: probably more challenging for women's sports. Still, we're still not 204 00:11:02,947 --> 00:11:05,467 Speaker 3: on a path from the media perspective. I think the latest, 205 00:11:05,987 --> 00:11:08,187 Speaker 3: the most recent stats have it sitting at something like 206 00:11:08,227 --> 00:11:10,907 Speaker 3: twenty five percent of media coverage of sport is around 207 00:11:10,907 --> 00:11:13,587 Speaker 3: women's sports. So we're you know, we're not at an 208 00:11:13,627 --> 00:11:16,587 Speaker 3: equity level there. We've still got fewer women in coaching. 209 00:11:17,707 --> 00:11:21,187 Speaker 3: We know we've got some communities that are not participating 210 00:11:21,227 --> 00:11:24,027 Speaker 3: to the same level. So we've started and we've got 211 00:11:24,027 --> 00:11:27,347 Speaker 3: cracking momentum. We're part way along the path all of 212 00:11:27,387 --> 00:11:31,427 Speaker 3: those things. We need to keep the effort behind to 213 00:11:31,507 --> 00:11:34,987 Speaker 3: keep moving those things board. And that's that's really what 214 00:11:35,067 --> 00:11:38,587 Speaker 3: Whisper is there to do to help us move towards 215 00:11:38,747 --> 00:11:41,307 Speaker 3: the being the world's most equitable sports system. 216 00:11:41,347 --> 00:11:43,747 Speaker 2: Susan, I appreciate your time this afternoon. You've got some 217 00:11:43,787 --> 00:11:47,147 Speaker 2: great insight and some real food for thought. Thanks indeed. 218 00:11:47,187 --> 00:11:51,507 Speaker 2: That is Susan Sawbridge, Chair of Women in Sport ALT Theodora. 219 00:11:51,587 --> 00:11:54,547 Speaker 2: This is weekend sport. Keen for your reaction to anything 220 00:11:54,547 --> 00:11:58,267 Speaker 2: you heard there, but also for your lived experience on 221 00:11:58,307 --> 00:12:00,827 Speaker 2: a couple of things we chatted about there. One is 222 00:12:00,907 --> 00:12:05,067 Speaker 2: the much wider range of sports which are available now, 223 00:12:05,107 --> 00:12:08,627 Speaker 2: not just for young girls, but certainly way more than 224 00:12:08,667 --> 00:12:10,987 Speaker 2: it used to be. As I say, it used to 225 00:12:10,987 --> 00:12:14,187 Speaker 2: be you played netball and that was it. Now there 226 00:12:14,267 --> 00:12:18,347 Speaker 2: are so many more options for our young females to 227 00:12:18,707 --> 00:12:22,227 Speaker 2: choose if they want to play sport. The second is 228 00:12:22,267 --> 00:12:26,747 Speaker 2: the impact if there is one of the very challenging 229 00:12:26,827 --> 00:12:31,507 Speaker 2: twelve months that netball has endured. Now we Delan. I 230 00:12:31,507 --> 00:12:34,467 Speaker 2: guess you'd call them high level issues on the show 231 00:12:34,867 --> 00:12:37,787 Speaker 2: and during twenty twenty five we talked about netball a 232 00:12:37,867 --> 00:12:41,627 Speaker 2: lot and most of it was off the court stuff, 233 00:12:42,827 --> 00:12:47,427 Speaker 2: the day Noline Todua coaching saga and how drawn out 234 00:12:47,467 --> 00:12:52,987 Speaker 2: that was the silver Ferns eligibility issue and allowing certain 235 00:12:53,027 --> 00:12:57,307 Speaker 2: players to play their netball offshore but still remain silver 236 00:12:57,347 --> 00:13:00,747 Speaker 2: Ferns eligible a reject broadcast or for the A and 237 00:13:00,827 --> 00:13:04,667 Speaker 2: Z Premiership and depending on who you believe, netball now 238 00:13:04,707 --> 00:13:09,507 Speaker 2: have to pay to have have netball on television rather 239 00:13:09,547 --> 00:13:12,947 Speaker 2: than the other way around, where a broadcaster wants to 240 00:13:14,147 --> 00:13:17,667 Speaker 2: pay to have that content. The departure of CEO Jenny 241 00:13:17,667 --> 00:13:21,067 Speaker 2: Wiley and this week the resignation of chair Matt what 242 00:13:21,187 --> 00:13:24,987 Speaker 2: are they and three other board members. So there's been 243 00:13:25,027 --> 00:13:27,947 Speaker 2: a lot happening at the top level off the court. 244 00:13:28,507 --> 00:13:32,987 Speaker 2: But does that trickle down. Do young people or their 245 00:13:33,027 --> 00:13:37,667 Speaker 2: families look at netball and say, what are shambles? That 246 00:13:37,827 --> 00:13:41,027 Speaker 2: is not the sport for me? Or is that simply 247 00:13:41,067 --> 00:13:44,027 Speaker 2: not a thing at all? I know when we were 248 00:13:44,027 --> 00:13:46,667 Speaker 2: talking about the issues at the top level of netball 249 00:13:46,707 --> 00:13:48,747 Speaker 2: and New Zealand last year, the ones have just outlined. 250 00:13:49,067 --> 00:13:51,627 Speaker 2: We had a lot of feedback which talked about how 251 00:13:51,747 --> 00:13:53,427 Speaker 2: what was happening at the top of the game was 252 00:13:53,467 --> 00:13:57,267 Speaker 2: reflecting really badly on the thousands, the tens of thousands 253 00:13:57,827 --> 00:14:00,707 Speaker 2: who were involved in the game at community level, who 254 00:14:00,707 --> 00:14:03,627 Speaker 2: were turning up to volunteer, turning up to play, turning 255 00:14:03,707 --> 00:14:06,707 Speaker 2: up to umpire, turning up to be involved in the sport, 256 00:14:06,787 --> 00:14:09,707 Speaker 2: and they were looking at what was happening right at 257 00:14:09,707 --> 00:14:11,987 Speaker 2: the top of their sport and the corridors of power 258 00:14:13,147 --> 00:14:17,867 Speaker 2: and thinking, what are you doing? What are you doing? 259 00:14:17,867 --> 00:14:20,747 Speaker 2: You're sullying us with all of this. But the numbers 260 00:14:20,787 --> 00:14:24,627 Speaker 2: still feel strong or are there some red flags? I'm 261 00:14:24,707 --> 00:14:26,787 Speaker 2: keen to know your experience, Oh, eight hundred and eighty 262 00:14:26,867 --> 00:14:31,507 Speaker 2: ten eighty on that, but also on the participation battle, 263 00:14:31,547 --> 00:14:34,027 Speaker 2: which is now going to play out and will only 264 00:14:34,067 --> 00:14:38,387 Speaker 2: get more intense. There are so many options available now, 265 00:14:38,547 --> 00:14:40,227 Speaker 2: and this isn't just a female thing. This is a 266 00:14:40,387 --> 00:14:43,987 Speaker 2: this is a male thing as well. It's everybody. You 267 00:14:44,027 --> 00:14:47,027 Speaker 2: look at the battle that rugby is in to retain 268 00:14:47,107 --> 00:14:51,147 Speaker 2: its best young players, both genders. They have so many 269 00:14:51,187 --> 00:14:56,747 Speaker 2: other options now. Netball, I guess is jump is jumping 270 00:14:56,747 --> 00:14:58,947 Speaker 2: to the front of mine because I guess of everything 271 00:14:58,947 --> 00:15:01,667 Speaker 2: that's happened in the past little while, and I just 272 00:15:02,027 --> 00:15:03,747 Speaker 2: I guess. I was kicking it around with Andy during 273 00:15:03,747 --> 00:15:05,507 Speaker 2: the week and thinking, I wonder if there has been 274 00:15:05,867 --> 00:15:07,027 Speaker 2: that flow down a field. 275 00:15:07,507 --> 00:15:10,707 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 276 00:15:10,787 --> 00:15:14,107 Speaker 1: to news talks at B Weekends from midday, or follow 277 00:15:14,147 --> 00:15:15,747 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.