How Australia’s biggest women’s sport is being crippled

If you want to know how popular netball is in Australia, the Parkville netball courts on a Thursday afternoon will give you a pretty good idea.

On this particular night, the Westside Saints under-15s are taking on Strathmore; and the stadium is filled with an orchestra of whistles, shoes squeaking on the acrylic court, and echoing shouts from parents on the sidelines.

The scene, replicated at local courts across the country, features just a…