Spending his weekends on the sideline watching his sister play, Jayden Cowling's love of netball was ignited at a young age. Following his sister’s matches, he would take to the backyard and pretend that he was on the court.
It was a suggestion from friends that kickstarted his netball journey in Year 3, joining the Golden City Netball Association. As one of the few boys in the Bendigo area involved in netball at the time, his journey was an uncommon one.
After just two years, age restrictions brought Jayden’s time on court to a halt. Undeterred, he explored other sports, eventually finding a passion for umpiring which he credits with keeping him connected to netball.
“It wasn’t long before I found a real love for umpiring, which provided me with an opportunity to stay involved when I wasn’t able to play regularly in Bendigo,” he said.
Alongside his participation as an umpire, Jayden also began a successful career as a coach, and is currently the head coach at Kangaroo Flat Football Netball Club.
With his wealth of knowledge and experience as a player, umpire and coach, Jayden recently added a new feather to his cap as Netball Victoria’s first Male Participation Coordinator.
In this newly created position, which is the only full-time role dedicated to male netball anywhere in the country, Jayden is eager to make a lasting impact on the growth of netball for boys and men across Victoria.
“I’m excited to be able to hopefully make a difference in the men and boys space, and provide as many sustainable opportunities as possible for boys across the state,” Jayden said.
By showcasing successful male athletes and inclusive competitions, Jayden aims to inspire young men to dream big and realise their potential in netball.
The recent success of the Victorian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (VMMNA) at the Australian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (AMMNA) 2023 National Championships in Perth is one indication of how participation in, and enthusiasm for, men’s netball is building.
VMMNA entered six teams at the competition, coming away with four championship-winning sides and one runner up.
A VMMNA athlete himself, Jayden holds a unique perspective on the pathway to elite netball for male participants, and cannot speak highly enough of his experiences with the association.
“Being part of the VMMNA has been one of the best things I have ever done, if I hadn’t come across the advertisement about the trials I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said.
“The success the Victorian teams had in Perth was a real reward for the hard work the association has put in over the years to grow the opportunity for males to play.”
2023 alone has seen a tremendous growth in opportunities for competitive play. The new 13&U Boys division debuted at Netball Victoria’s Association Championships after the successful addition of the 17&U Boys division the previous year.
School Sport Australia welcomed the first 12&U Boys netball team to their Netball Championships, and over 40 teams took to the court across six divisions in VMMNA’s record-breaking 2022/23 MLeague competition.
There is a clear and growing interest in netball from men and boys across the state, and the hunger to compete. This visibility of men in the elite space is something Jayden is excited to promote, both in his new role at Netball Victoria and as an athlete.
“We have some amazing male athletes who play at the national and international level – I want young boys who are just starting netball to have people to look up to and for them to have something to aspire to be,” he said.
“You can’t be it if you can’t see it.”
Passionate in his pursuit to increase participation across Victoria, Jayden knows the changes won’t happen overnight.
With an increasing number of boys playing netball across the state but just two Netball Victoria affiliated associations currently running boys-only competitions, new opportunities at grassroots level will make all the difference for the young men and boys currently stepping onto court.
“From when I first started playing being one of the only boys, to now see many associations and leagues across Victoria having a high number of boys involved, it is amazing to see the growth,” he said.
“The momentum is now there to take it to the next level.”
If your association is interested in providing more male participation opportunities, please contact the participation team at participation@netballvic.com.au
