THIS week an exciting new partnership between England Netball and the England Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (EMMNA) was announced.

The partnership is designed to help grow the male side of the game in the UK, with England Netball also stipulating that it will work to protect the existing safe spaces for women that the sport provides.

England Netball’s focus will still be to increase the opportunities for women and girls to play the game, as well as rebuild netball at a grassroots level following the pandemic and addressing the gender participation gap. However, the partnership will see activity delivered by the EMMNA, which will be formally recognised by England Netball, and in turn will unlock more opportunities for male participants.

England Netball will support the EMMNA in developing the club, league and national structure for the men’s game by sharing knowledge, experience and strategic insight, and help create a blueprint for sustainable growth.

As part of the partnership, an England development squad will play two of the leading men’s sides in a two match curtain raiser series alongside the Vitality Roses Reunited series between England Roses and Jamaica Sunshine Girls, coming up in December.

The partnership was created in consultation with England Netball’s members, with many competing factors made clear to England Netball. On the one hand there is a strong desire for men and boys to be welcomed into the game and play a greater part in the future of the sport. There was also a wish for the female focused foundations to be protected and to not lose the safe space the sport provides for women and girls.

In a statement on England Netball’s website, CEO of England Netball Fran Connolly explained that joining hands with EMMNA will assist in building England Netball further in the future.

“We recognise the brilliant progress EMMNA have made in growing the male game in recent years, and are excited to formally welcome them to the Netball Family. Supporting them on their mission is not only a pivotal moment for our sport but one that demonstrates a deliberate intent from England Netball to take our game to new audiences,” Connolly said.

“EMMNA share our vision to grow the game at every level and we cannot wait to journey together to continue to increase male participation in netball, raise the profile and visibility of our sport, and bring the joy of netball to more people than ever before.”  

In the same statement, EMMNA President and Founder Ryan Allan explained that the partnership will promote greater male participation and develop the exciting pathways already in place across England, with men’s and mixed netball a growing facet of the sport in England. 20 clubs now have men’s and mixed teams, and nearly 20,000 men play fortnightly, and many boys also play at primary school.

“This partnership is a significant one not just for our organisation, but for every male in England that wants to play or get involved with the game,” Ryan said. “We are very proud to be part of the Netball Family and whilst we recognise its unique and special place for females, we are hugely excited by the opportunity to partner with England Netball to open up the game and increase male participation in the sport.  

“Both England Netball and EMMNA bring individual strengths to the partnership but share one mission – to grow the game – by igniting a greater visibility for netball in this country and across the world to inspire future generations to play and love the sport like we do.”