At just 14 years old and standing at an impressive 193 centimetres, Allen Griechen is making waves as one of Australia’s top junior male netball players. His notable achievements this year include representing both Western Australia and Australia in the Pacific Horizon Cup, where he participated in three matches against New Zealand for players aged 17 and under. Australia secured victory in all three games, clinching the series with a decisive 48-41 win in the final match. Head coach Lorraine Ward praised Griechen’s impact, stating, “We were a draw at three-quarter time, and we put him on, and he got three blocks straight away.”
Grieken’s selection for the inaugural 17-and-under trans-Tasman netball series underscores his talent. Ward highlighted both his physical attributes and determination as key factors in his selection, remarking, “No one could believe he was only 14 years old.”
Challenges in Local Competition
In his hometown of Geraldton, located 450 kilometres north of Perth, Griechen faces unique challenges as he approaches the age limit for local competitions, which do not permit male players over 14. He may continue playing at a higher level in Perth, contingent upon his mother, Robyn Griechen, making the weekly 900-kilometre round trip. Robyn is no stranger to long drives, having already made similar journeys in preparation for national competitions. “Perth are really receptive and they love him,” she stated. “As long as I’m prepared to drive him, he’ll still be able to go to the state competition.”
Allen’s journey into netball began at the age of five, inspired by watching his older sisters play the sport. He hopes to be a role model for other boys, stating, “I just thought, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ My parents support everything I do and everything I want to be.”
Breaking Stigmas in a Female-Dominated Sport
In a regional town where competitive netball is predominantly female, Allen noted the unusual nature of a boy playing the sport, as he is one of only two male players, both younger than him. “I feel like I’m paving the way for them, showing them that they can play as high and achieve their goals,” he said. Despite the support he receives from family and the local netball community, he acknowledged a prevailing stigma surrounding boys in a sport traditionally dominated by females.
“There’s quite a bit of negativity, but I feel as if they don’t really understand it; they haven’t really been introduced to it,” he explained. “I just don’t let it get to me. I feel I’m good enough at my sport.” He believes that as people witness his skills on the court, their perceptions will change.
Locally, Griechen competes for the Kazuals reserves team in the women’s competition. His coach, Kelsie Crowe, describes him as an “absolute ball hunter” and an invaluable asset. Crowe emphasizes that gender is not a factor in her coaching. “I just coach him the same as the girls, and he just takes everything on board so well,” she said. She hopes for more pathways for boys like Griechen to continue their netball careers, insisting there is no need for exclusion based on gender. “There are females playing netball that are his height, and we get on with it.”
The landscape for men’s netball is evolving. Last month, World Netball endorsed plans for the inaugural men’s netball world cup as early as 2028, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity. Andrew Simons, president of the Australian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association, described this announcement as “the single biggest step in men’s netball history.” This development follows a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening pathways for aspiring male netballers in Western Australia.
Despite the momentum, challenges remain for regional athletes like Griechen. Ward noted the difficulties inherent in being a regional player. “We are going to continue his development by sending him some programs, hopefully bringing him down to Perth, so he can get into the WA Netball League environment,” she said.
Allen is optimistic about the future of boys in netball, expressing a desire for increased local participation. “That would be perfect, that’s exactly what I’m going for,” he said. His hope is that as more boys and men take up the sport, negative attitudes will diminish. “More exposure would definitely bring it out and introduce it to a lot of people. Definitely give it a go. Try your best.” As Allen Griechen continues to rise in the netball ranks, his journey may very well pave the way for future generations of male players.
