The Unexpected Encounter that Made Lily Grimley Question the Spirit of Social Sports

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Lily Grimley joined a social netball team during the pandemic to stay active, but what was supposed to be an enjoyable weekly activity turned into a tense confrontation. During one game, tension escalated when some teammates were unaware of the rules, provoking hostility from their opponents. This led to an altercation, with an opponent attempting to grab Grimley’s throat, creating a hostile atmosphere and spoiling the enjoyment of the game.

Grimley never returned to that league and subsequently left other competitions due to increasing competitiveness. For her, the appeal of social sports lies in relaxation and camaraderie, not rivalries. The incidents reflect a broader issue where competitive behavior has become a barrier, especially for adults and women. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, about 37% of adults are insufficiently active, partly due to overly competitive environments.


Professor Rochelle Eime from Federation University highlights that while some players prioritize winning, many, especially women, play sports for leisure and enjoyment. As soon as sports stop being fun, participation declines.

Urban Rec, a Canberra-based social sports organization, identified this issue and created leagues with unique rules designed to keep the competition light-hearted. Innovations such as “fun points” and “player of the match” awards encourage positive play, making the league popular.

David Perez Zamora, the league manager, explains that their approach to keeping the game social has proved successful, doubling their league’s size in three years. Grimley believes that addressing competitive behavior, as Urban Rec does, could help retain players like herself, who seek safety, happiness, and community in sports. Without tackling these issues, such aggressive competitiveness could push more people away from social sports.