For a long time when people thought of netball, they wouldn’t necessarily ponder male players let alone elite-level participation.
But as part of World Netball’s strategic push to gain admission in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics the sport is expanding its horizons, introducing more men’s netball leagues in Australia.
It’s led to the launch of Netball Queensland’s M – League, which will kick off this weekend and the Bond Bull Sharks will be among the five teams in its inaugural fixture.
Bond Bachelor of Laws student Brock Adaway, will be one of the seven men to take to the court when the Bull Sharks face off against Redlands Eagles this Sunday at Nissan Arena.
Originally from Cairns, Adaway got into netball through his mum Kelly Hynes who is the head coach of the Far North Flames Netball team.
“Mum had always been a netball coach, so I guess I’ve just always been around it,” he said.
“She forced me into it, she loves that I’m playing and gets around it.”
Adaway who is also a keen AFL player with the Surfers Paradise AFC has been playing netball for the past five years and has represented Queensland at four national titles.
“Cairns was the first in regional Queensland to introduce a male competition,” he said.
“The competition is pretty consistent each year and there's more and more opportunity to play.
“The number of guys who show up to trials each year keeps growing.
“At nationals we normally finish third or fourth, the Victorian team are probably the best.”
The Bond men's team will be coached by Bond Sapphire assistant coach and Australian men's U23 netball coach, Gavin Clarke.
“It's a big step for men's netball being incorporated into the Hart Premier League, it’s pretty exciting,” he said.
Clarke, who has been coaching men’s netball for the past six years, started playing social mixed netball back when he was at university.
“It's a very physical game, and its high speed and skilful,” he said.
“I think the great thing for young guys who want to play lots of different sport, you can definitely play netball alongside your other sports.”