Men’s Netball in Australia
Men’s netball started to become popular in Australia in the early 80's as a natural progression from men watching their wives and girlfriends playing and the advent of social mixed netball. By the mid 80's most Australian states had Associations formed to govern and guide the sport. 1985 saw the first National Championships held for Men, which were restricted to State men’s teams in the following divisions; Open, Open Reserves, 21 and Under, 19 and Under, 17 and Under and Masters. This structure remained intact until 2002, when due to a steady decline in interest a change in format was required to re-energise the sport.
The South Australian Men’s Netball Association had been running Mixed Netball competitions since 1998 and identified that for Men’s Netball to become stronger, the involvement of women was critical. It was also identified that the format of National Championships had become stagnant and that this yearly competition needed a change in structure.
The South Australian body proposed that (A) Entry to the yearly championships be open to All State bodies, any other Associations or clubs and International teams.
(B) The inclusion of Mixed Teams at the Championships. The proposed changes were not well received by the controlling body for men’s netball in Australia and the South Australian Association decided to go it alone and form a new National body (AIMMNA) in 2001.
With support from groups in Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Defence Forces (ADF), AIMMNA was able to hold its first Australian Championships in 2002 for men’s and mixed teams.
The 2003 Australian Championships saw New Zealand entering a team in the Open Men’s Division and going on to win the title.
The South Australian Men’s Netball Association had been running Mixed Netball competitions since 1998 and identified that for Men’s Netball to become stronger, the involvement of women was critical. It was also identified that the format of National Championships had become stagnant and that this yearly competition needed a change in structure.
The South Australian body proposed that (A) Entry to the yearly championships be open to All State bodies, any other Associations or clubs and International teams.
(B) The inclusion of Mixed Teams at the Championships. The proposed changes were not well received by the controlling body for men’s netball in Australia and the South Australian Association decided to go it alone and form a new National body (AIMMNA) in 2001.
With support from groups in Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Defence Forces (ADF), AIMMNA was able to hold its first Australian Championships in 2002 for men’s and mixed teams.
The 2003 Australian Championships saw New Zealand entering a team in the Open Men’s Division and going on to win the title.