Backlash as boys are banned by primary school’s netball contest

‘There is a significant gender gap in terms of participation in sports between boys and girls’

BOYS have been banned from a primary school netball contest because they could have an unfair advantage over their female competitors.

The decision to change the rules of the Urdd National Sports Festival in Aberystwyth, Wales, has angered pupils who have been training all year for the event.

Although male students have been told they cannot compete with girls in the netball matches, girls will still be allowed to compete with boys in football.

“Netball isn’t just for girls, it’s for boys and girls,” said Mason, 10.

“If girls are allowed to play football, why can’t boys play netball?” said Florence, also 10. Last night, Piers Morgan waded into the row, writing on Twitter: “What? This is outrageous. Where are you, feminists – this is sexist!”

Organisers of the festival said they made the change to encourage more girls to take part because the boys’ physical strength could put them at an advantage.

They said they would see how the competition, which is due to be held in May, turned out before making a decision about whether to continue the new rule next year.

Urdd Gobaith Cymru, the youth organisation which will host the festival, was set up in 1922 to provide opportunities through the medium of Welsh for children and young people in the country.

It said in a statement: “There is a significant gender gap in terms of participation in sports between boys and girls, through offering an all-girls tournament in this sport with a clear pathway for continued participation from primary to secondary school age, we are actively taking steps to close the gender gap in sports participation.

“As an organisation we are very proud of the range of sports competitions that are offered to girls, boys and mixed teams, all of which adhere to the Department of Education guidelines and are reviewed annually as part of the sports department’s continuous evaluation.”