A Netball (R)evolution: An Olympic Games Campaign in the Spoils of World Cup Corruption

Since the 1998 embrace of Netball as a Commonwealth Games sport, the international conversation has fixated on Olympic inclusion as the next logical step in the evolution of netball. Processes and procedures for admission to the Olympic Games are governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), predicated on values of good governance, credibility and gender equity. But recently, the unveiling of controversy and corruption plaguing the 2023 Netball World Cup, hosted by South Africa, has brought the game into disrepute and has potentially poisoned the push for the debut of netball at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

Formal Requirements for Olympic Inclusion

The Olympic Charter outlines all relevant rules, regulations and by-laws necessary for the integrity of the Olympic Games. Importantly, the establishment of the programme for each Olympics is governed by a complex procedure, detailed in Chapter 5, rule 45, and its constituent by-laws.

Consideration for inclusion in an Olympic programme begins with recognition of an International Federation (IF) by the IOC. The IOC must be able to determine that there is an international body responsible for the oversight of the sport and effectively managing compliance with integrity frameworks. World Netball has been recognised as an IF since 1995 and has invested significant time and funding in lobbying for the sport to be respected in the Olympic movement, this includes compliance with the Olympic Charter, World Anti-Doping Code, the Olympic Movement Code and the Prevention of the Manipulation of the Competition procedures.

Subsequently, the IOC conducts a general assembly for the assessment of sports seeking to enter the Games against the eligibility criteria. From the 35 conventions, World Netball has used Netball Australia as an exemplar for their specific engagement with fostering gender equality, inclusivity, attraction to younger audiences and the use of digitisation to promote global interest. 

Other examples of World Netball pivoting to promote the values implicit within the Olympic Charter came in 2018 with the advancement of policy to allow for the wearing of hijabs and gender-neutral competition clothing. This development has symbolised an astronomic shift in the values of international netball, departing from the archaic requirements of the netball “mini” dress, moving towards a flexible model, where players on the same team have choice over their on-court attire. The Malaysian National Netball Team has pioneered this approach with players wearing different combinations of their national colours in traditional uniform, head scarves, long pants, and sleeves. [1]

 Unfortunately, these efforts have not been rewarded in recent years with the Olympic inclusion of breakdancing, surfing, softball and many others, whilst netball remains unsuccessful.

What has happened in South Africa?

 In April this year speculation heightened as concerns emerged that Netball South Africa (NSA) was yet to produce any financial statements or interim reports on their expenditure from the 2023 Netball World Cup. In the lead-up to the event South African Parliament had contributed R90 million (almost AUD $8 million) to fund the tournament. This funding was supposed to include travel expenses, venue upgrades and advertising, yet, when representatives of NSA were called to face the Parliamentary Committee into Sports, Arts and Culture, they were fundamentally unable to make the distribution of those funds transparent.

Public pressure is rising, with government representatives insisting that they have a Constitutional duty to the people, who have a right to understand how taxpayer money is being utilised, and why NSA has been able to conceal its finances for so long. These transgressions have resulted in Parliament ordering an extensive audit, and overall interrogation of the procedures behind the executive operation.

So far, the investigation has revealed that the misappropriation of funds isn’t the only concern within NSA currently, with accusations emerging that suspended NSA president Cecilia Molokwane had swept several allegations of racism, mismanagement and interference in national selection, under the rug. [2] Not only does this bring the game into disrepute, but it also draws attention to potential human rights violations within the netball pathway.

 Other legal concerns underpinning this review include an allegation, that Molokwane pre-emptively interfered with the upcoming NSA Committee election, and that she disbanded rival member associations which were campaigning against her to bolster her case for re-election. All of which, Molokwane strictly denies.

What are the effects for World Netball?

 World Netball is ultimately concerned that these transgressions within NSA are reflective of broader violations and contraventions in other areas of the game, and in other countries around the world. Currently, World Netball has not filed any charges against Molokwane but has suspended her in her capacity as president of Netball South Africa until a thorough investigation can be completed into these claims. It has also demanded she refrain from taking any part in the sport until completion of the probe and the disciplinary process.

These accusations do not cast the integrity, credibility and good governance of netball around the world in a positive light. Former NSA deputy president, Charmaine Singh, has suggested that parliamentary reform would resolve these infractions in the future. She revealed that the accountability measures in place by the Parliament were minimal, suggesting that in future, retrospective reporting on company spending is insufficient, that organisations like NSA should have to outline to Parliament, before receiving or applying for funding, how the money is intending to be spent. Likewise, she alluded to the heartbreak caused to the global netball community which has worked tirelessly to establish democratic structures to govern the game and elevate the standards of administration and integrity. With the International Olympic Committee meeting in early 2026 to strategize and design the programme for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, fears are escalating that netball will miss out once again, due to the ructions and discrediting of recent competition at the international level. 

Conclusion 

Once again, World Netball will likely appeal to the IOC for inclusion in the next Olympic Games programme. The haste with which they can complete these investigations into the alleged corruption of substituent executive committees, like Netball South Africa, will determine whether they are able to reform the integrity of the game in time and satisfy the IOC that they are fit, worthy and eligible for Brisbane 2032 … Watch this space!

Bibliography:

[1] World Netball, World Netball Guide on Netball Player and Officials Uniforms at International Events (Web Page, March 2018) https://netball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/WN-Guidelines-on-Netball-Uniforms.pdf

[2] Daily Maverick, Netball SA president’s suspension by global governing body casts doubt on her re-election bid (Web Page, April 2025) https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-04-21-netball-sa-president-suspended-global-body-dents-re-election-bid/

[3] PRIMEDIA+, Netball South Africa fails to account for R90m World Cup funds; ‘It’s an embarassment’ (Web Page, April 2025) https://www.primediaplus.com/2025/04/25/netball-sa-fails-to-account-for-r90m-world-cup-funds-it-s-an-embarrassment

[4] The Witness, Former netball bosses slam collapse of hard-won progress (Web Page April 2025) https://witness.co.za/news/2025/04/29/former-netball-bosses-slam-collapse-of-hard-won-progress/?amp=1

[5] Sunday World, Limpopo’ Sports department requests World Netball to reconsider Molokwane’s suspension (Web Page, April 2025) https://sundayworld.co.za/news/limpopo-sports-department-requests-world-netball-to-reconsider-molokwane-suspension/

[6] IOL, Parliament rips into Netball SA, Molokwane in picture of systemic dysfunction (Web Page, April 2025) https://iol.co.za/sport/netball/2025-04-25-parliament-rips-into-netball-sa-molokwane-in-picture-of-systemic-dysfunction/

[7] Business Day, Netball SA puts vice-president in charge after head Cecilia Molokwane suspended (Web Page, April 2025) https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/sport/other-sport/2025-04-21-netball-sa-puts-vice-president-in-charge-after-head-cecilia-molokwane-suspended/

[8] ABC News, Netball Australia flags bid for sport to be included in the 2032 Brisban Olympics (Web Page, August 2021) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-09/netball-australia-push-for-2032-brisbane-olympics-inclusion/100361022

[9] International Olympic Committee, Credibility and Good Governance (Web Page, 2025) https://www.olympics.com/ioc/olympic-agenda-reforms/credibility-and-good-governance

[10] International Olympic Committee, Olympic Programme Commission (Web Page, 2025) https://www.olympics.com/ioc/olympic-programme-commission

[11] International Olympic Committee, Olympic Charter (Web Page, January 2025) https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/International-Olympic-Committee/IOC-Publications/EN-Olympic-Charter.pdf

[12] International Olympic Committee, International Sports Federations (Web Page, 2025) https://www.olympics.com/ioc/international-federations

[12] SABC Sport, The government’s poor funding model failing SA sports federations, (Web Page, July 2024) https://www.sabcsport.com/main-domain/news/the-government-s-poor-funding-model-failing-sa-sports-federations

[13] South African Government, Sports Arts and Culture, Official Guide to Aouth Africa 2022/2023 (Web Page, 2022) https://www.gcis.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/21%20Sport%2C%20Arts%20and%20Culture.pdf

[14] SABC Sport, Africa Netball demand World Netball step back in investigations of Netball SA president (Web Page, April 2025) https://www.sabcsport.com/news/africa-netball-demand-world-netball-step-back-in-investigations-of-netball-sa-president-1