Boys' netball movement gains pace on Sunshine Coast
In short:
A new Sunshine Coast competition is giving boys aged 10 to 13 their own netball pathway.
It is part of a national push to grow boys' and men's netball.
What's next?
The competition could pave the way for more all-boys leagues across Queensland.
The whistle blows, sneakers skid and the ball whips through the air as boys in bright bibs bring new pace and energy to the netball court — a sight still rare in regional Queensland where most boys aged 10 to 13 play in mixed teams.
That changed this month, when Nambour and Districts Netball Association started its first all-boys competition for players aged 10 to 16 — one of the few in Queensland to focus on that younger age group.
Bryce Pritchard and Joseph Jeffers reach for the ball. (Supplied: Kate Kitchin)
It is part of a national push to grow boys' and men's netball in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic Games.
The eight-week season on the Sunshine Coast aims to give boys their first experience competing against other boys while helping build confidence, skills and a sense of belonging.
Among them are brothers Benjamin and Joseph Jeffers, watched by their nine-year-old brother Harrison, who is already counting the days until he can join them.
Their family has spent years travelling to weekend matches, where they were often the only boys on court.
"Finally having a boys' comp is so good," Benjamin said.
"While playing with girls is amazing, I do have to hold back for fear of hurting them — whereas with boys, there are no issues.
"It pushes me to play even better."
Loading...He says he loves the game's intensity and hopes more boys give it a go.
"It's fun and fast," Benjamin said.
"It has so much potential.
"I'd love to see more competitions and maybe a men's Olympic team one day."
Joseph (GD) and Benjamin Jeffers (C) regularly play in opposing teams at the Nambour netball courts. (Supplied: Kate Kitchin)
The 'most contact' non-contact sport
Nambour Association president Tracey Mitchell said the new competition filled a crucial gap for younger players who had outgrown mixed teams but were not yet ready for senior boys' leagues.
"We already accept male players up to 18 if they're still at school," Ms Mitchell said.
"Unfortunately that pathway isn't available at a lot of associations."
Sunshine Coast Thunder athlete Jordon Webb in action in the M League. (Supplied: Queensland Suns)
When Netball Queensland ran clinics earlier this year, interest exceeded expectations, with families travelling from Gympie and Hervey Bay to take part.
"There are families willing to drive every Sunday for the competition," Ms Mitchell said.
"It's very exciting to help kids keep their passion for netball alive."
She has noticed the dynamic shift when boys play.
"Netball is the most contact non-contact sport ever," she laughs.
"The boys are faster, they jump higher, they're bouncier.
"It pushes the girls to step up — they see it as a challenge and it makes everyone a better player."
A growing movement
At the elite end, Queensland Suns president Darren Gillespie said new programs like this developed athletes who could progress through the M-League, represent the Queensland Suns, and one day play for the Australian Kelpies or compete at the AMMNA Championships, run by the Australian Men's and Mixed Netball Association.
"The inclusion of Sunshine Coast Thunder as a foundation club in the M League has been instrumental in driving the growth of boys' and men's netball across the Sunshine Coast," Mr Gillespie said.
"Thunder's participation in the M League has created opportunities for Sunshine Coast athletes to compete against the state's best each week.
"When regions like the Sunshine Coast are engaged and visible, it drives participation and builds the credibility needed for Olympic inclusion,"Mr Gillespie said.
Kelpies captain Dylan Nexhip plays wing defence during a match against New Zealand's Net Blacks. (Supplied: Netball Australia)
Mr Gillespie said the Queensland Suns were also introducing a regional sponsorship package to reduce financial pressures and create more equitable opportunities for male players.
Participation 'surging'
Netball Queensland hopes the Sunshine Coast model will encourage other regions to follow.
General manager Glenn Dennis said the sport was entering a pivotal stage.
"We think netball is the best sport in the world, so we support initiatives that create more opportunities for the whole community to get involved," he said.
He believes building boys' programs from grassroots level is essential to the sport's future.
The Thunder team photo includes regional athletes who have come through the junior pathways. (Supplied: Queensland Suns)
"We're at a critical stage in the growth of men's netball," Mr Dennis said.
"Soon we'll have enough players to sustain standalone competitions that offer equity in opportunity while preserving the integrity of existing competitions."
Netball Australia CEO Stacey West said the organisation welcomed the Sunshine Coast Men's Competition and the role it played in shaping the sport's future.
"Men's netball is the fastest-growing part of the sport, with participation surging nationwide, especially in New South Wales," she said.
"The Kelpies, Australia's men's team, are ranked number one in the world and have helped make netball more inclusive by breaking down old stereotypes."
Recently, former elite women's coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson — known as "JWT" — was appointed head coach of the Kelpies and will lead the national side to the first World Netball-endorsed men's World Cup in 2028.