In Australia

In Australia, watching and participating in physical activity is culturally significant and deeply embedded in the national psyche. “Sports sociology is the study of the relationship between sports and society” (Crossman, 2017). Peter Figueroa, a sociologist, developed a framework which assists in the investigation of issues and ideas surrounding, equity and access in sport and physical activity. Figueroa’s framework is constructed across five separate levels (individual, interpersonal, institutional, structural and cultural) with each level strongly interconnected with the others. The interpersonal level of Figueroa’s framework focusses on the influence of family, friends, coaches and role models; the structural level examines the influence of government, marketing and the media, whilst, the cultural level is concerned with assumptions, beliefs and values about issues of race, gender, socio-economic status and how norms and values affect recognition and treatment of diversity (Boz, 2018). Figueroa’s levels provide a starting point to analyse how society affects individuals’ participation in sports such as netball. Netball is a fast-paced ball sport played by two teams of 7 players who’s objective is to score goals within a defined area, by throwing a ball into a ring attached to a 3.05 metres (10 feet) high post (Netball Australia, 2018). The interactions and relationships I have with others, the influence of the media and society’s norms have all heavily impacted my perceptions, beliefs and attitudes towards netball which has ultimately affected my participation in the sport. However, having the opportunity to experience and learn about netball through HPE in years 11 and 12 has allowed my perceptions, beliefs and attitudes towards netball to significantly change.