Rebel Sport, "The Home of Netball" ... :/

Several months ago I wrote about a visit to Rebel Sport and our search for female sport authorised apparel - ie. netball. Rebel Sport did engage with my feedback at the time and while I often use this blog to make a point, I'm not generally the flag-waving protester type so I was happy to leave it at that.

Last week, however, I was lucky enough to spend 2 days with my daughter at the Netball World Cup 2015 in Sydney. Imagine my surprise on the first day when I saw this advertising, flashing around the court:

Wow! Really?! WTF?!

So, yesterday I visited my local Rebel, aka "The Home of Netball". We found the same rows of authorised apparel for men's sports, and we also found the same small netball equipment section (unfortunately under a "Soccer" heading but.. you know). Still no shoes but if I want a clipboard or a netball, Rebel's got it. So I asked a very helpful lady if "The Home of Netball" had any netball authorised apparel.

Success! There is now a single rack containing two of the official Australian Diamonds authorised tops!

Granted, a single rack is not the same as the row-upon-row of AFL, rugby, soccer, cricket and (men's) basketball merchandise, and it's kind of hidden amongst other green and gold (men's) stuff, and there is still no ANZ Championship/Vixens merchandise in sight, but still - progress. I'm calling that a (minor) win. :)

"The Home of Netball" lady said it was the first time she'd ever seen any official netball apparel in-store. I said I was rapt, and explained my previous search and she got on board and said she was going to discuss it with her manager. I asked her if more people requested it, would it help, and she said it definitely would.

So, get on board netball fans! Go down to your local "The Home of Netball" and ask about official netball merchandise!