01 Mar Keep Kids in the Game: Netball
Sports foster confidence and lifelong connections for kids, yet they continue to quit, new research reveals.
With the 2025 netball season is kicking off in April, Netball has become most popular sport for girls and women in Australia, with over 1,000,000 participants expected in the upcoming season.
It is also the fastest growing sport for boys and men (according to AUSPLAY data).
Team sports offer kids more than just fitness—they build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging. Yet despite these benefits, many kids drop out, with new research from ASICS revealing nearly half quit by their teens.
The study found that while 79% of respondents made lasting friendships through sports, key reasons for quitting included school pressures (35%) and feeling ‘not good enough’ (18%). Gen Z, in particular, struggled with self-confidence, with 54% citing insecurity as a barrier to continuing.
The gender divide is also striking with men twice as likely to keep playing into adulthood compared to women (41% vs. 19%). ASICS Ambassador and Psychologist Meg McClurg believes promoting team sports as a way to relieve stress, build confidence, and foster community could help bridge this gap.
Netball, Australia’s most-played female team sport, was found to be the least celebrated, with 40% of respondents ranking it lower in recognition than basketball, soccer, rugby league, and Aussie rules. ASICS Oceania Managing Director Mark Brunton stresses the importance of keeping kids engaged in sport beyond competition, highlighting its impact on mental well-being.
With netball season kicking off, now is the perfect time to encourage kids to stay in the game—boosting their skills, friendships, and self-belief along the way.
Meg McClurg provides her three top tips for parents and coaches alike to help build confidence in kids through sport:
- Praise effort and specific skills
As kids approach their teenage years they become increasingly aware of comparisons with peers, so it’s crucial to shift their focus inward. Highlight specific actions they did well, like “Your hustle for that rebound was impressive!”, or “You were really focused when marking your player today”. This encourages them to recognise their own growth and effort, building self-confidence regardless of the game’s out come.
- Create a positive team culture
Adolescents thrive in environments where they feel accepted. Encourage team-building activities, emphasise respect amongst teammates, and guide kids in giving and receiving constructive feedback. A nice tradition to implement is after a game, ask each team member to share something positive about their own performance and a teammate’s effort. This helps them see themselves as valuable contributors and reinforces a supportive atmosphere.
- Guide them in setting and reflecting on goals
Help kids set short-term, attainable goals that align with their development and are related to process & performance rather than outcome. For example, a soccer player might aim to “make three accurate passes,” or “improve my corner kicks this week”. At the end of practice or a game, take a moment to reflect with them: “How do you feel about your passes today? What worked well, and what’s one thing you’d like to practice more?”. This process helps them build self-awareness and see progress, boosting their confidence.
All Images: From the recent Netball Festival Celebrating Confidence, where ASICS recently launched the Netball shoe Netburner Ballistic™ Ff 3
