NETBALL CHAT with Linda Bunch

IN A family, does one child's sport hold more importance than another?

I was devastated recently to hear junior netballers saying they wouldn't be at their own finals and break up celebration day due to their brother playing sport in another town.

Now I'm the first to admit I'm not a parent and I don't run and organise a family. From my outsider's view this translates to "Mary your sport isn't as important as Johnny's therefore you miss out”.

A larger concern for me in this age of very sensitive children who take everything to heart relates to the girl child 'what does she take from this'? Is she hearing "Mary, you're not as important as Johnny”? I could be hugely off the mark and barking up the wrong tree but.......

I see this regularly, it's concerning, frustrating beyond belief and leaves me so disappointed for these girls. Why should the boys sport come ahead of girls?

Why should one child miss out? Why are plans not made to allow all children to enjoy their day, sport and commitment? In years gone by, we have had girls not turn up to their official representative team photo because a brother had sport in another town - this I found particularly disturbing and unnecessary.

Unnecessary as netball is a team sport with nine players (nine children), 18 parents plus extended family and friends as a possible means to attend. I see a wonderful support network.

I see so many options for families to work together. A sleep over at a friend's house, pancake brekky and off to netball. But perhaps I'm from a past era and this doesn't happen now.