Geraldton men’s netball’s bright future as Allen Griechen and Kelly Eastough fly flag for WA at nationals

Local and WA men’s netball assistant coach Kelly Eastough says she envisions a men’s competition in the future of Geraldton’s sporting landscape but admits more work will need to be done to get the ball rolling. It comes as the AMMNA Men’s and Mixed Netball National Championships touched down in Perth this week, with local player Allen Griechen representing the region and WA in the under 17s side. But while men’s netball has had clear growth on a national level and there’s no shortage of men wanting to play social mixed netball, it’s been slow to get off the ground back in Griechen and Eastough’s hometown. “The sport is obviously growing, and we can only do what we can do to encourage as many people to get out there, support it, get behind men’s netball,” Eastough said. “It’s good to see it’s slowly but surely getting there. But I’d like to see, in about five years time, we actually have a division dedicated to men’s netball in Geraldton and the Mid West.” In the past Geraldton Netball Association has made conscious efforts to encourage more men into the game, including having a team represent the association at the Netball WA Member Association Championships. However, this fell through. Griechen is one of three male players, as of 2025, in Geraldton, and plays for the Kazuals women’s reserves side in the local competition. And he’s shown the heights netballers can reach in the Mid West, after being selected to play for Australia’s under 17s side in the Pacific Horizons Cup against New Zealand. At the Men’s and Mixed Netball Nationals Championship in Perth, Griechen has been masterful in defence, earning the match MVP nod in two of WA’s matches. “He’s been in the program ... this is his second year as well, and he has just grown within the sport,” Eastough said. “Having someone locally like himself being down, representing his club at the association level, seeing what can kids or boys can strive into the future. “Anything is absolutely possible and like we did with Allen, his commitment, dedication, and the travel that we have to do to and from for training sessions and match play and whatnot, has been full on. “Look at what he’s achieved. He represented Australia last year in the under 17s and hopefully he might be able to do that again this year.” Eastough was confident that men’s netball could follow a similar trajectory to the likes of women’s cricket and football — male dominated sports which have seen increased female participation rates in the Mid West. She said putting in similar steps would help grow the men’s game. “It’s encouraging them to come and have a try if there’s any other come and try days or they’re wanting to have a go,” she said. “I’d approach your local clubs and associations to get the kids down there to have a look. “Local netball seasons will be kicking off as soon as school goes back, so I’d absolutely encourage them to get involved.”