The sport of netball has always been seen as a women’s only game however Netball Samoa wants to break that stigma by promoting more male participation and create a gender balance as the sport is aiming for Olympic recognition.

Netball Samoa’s Sport Development Manager, Justine Samu said men playing netball has become more socially acceptable.

They have seen the increase in young boys showing interest in the sport despite the common norm of always looking to play rugby or soccer.

“We are hoping that this interest grows at the primary school level and will carry on through to secondary school which can potentially feed their clubs with members for the men’s division to grow,” she said

This is an ongoing effort from Netball Samoa and all relevant partners in the Pacific to grow the men’s division and ultimately have it as an Olympic sport.

“Ideally for a sport to become an Olympic sport it should be equal participation from male and female which is what we are all working towards in the Pacific,” said Ms. Samu.

There are currently 10 registered teams in the men’s division which is a testament of how far the sport’s growth has come from the initial stages from being seen as a girl’s only sport.

They have also rolled out primary school sport development programs in the past and continue to do so in the hopes of further developing the sport.

“Our primary school tournaments have always been quite open to having boys and girls. Generally, the boys don’t participate, I think it is that stigma that netball is for girls and so this year we made it a point to include the boys division.”

“For our under-14 boys category we have got five teams from three different schools. There will be two teams from Robert Louis Stevenson Primary, two teams from Samoa Primary and one team from Fagalii Primary.”

On Thursday is the Farmer Joe Primary School Netball Tournament where 32 teams all from different schools are competing.

“We want to get the message out there that netball is for everyone and we have to start at a grassroots level for social inclusion and gender equality because once we get it right from the beginning then that message will continue on into our future and will continue on the sport for development which is what we are here for.”