Wrong to ban pregnant women from playing netball - AMA
Vice-President of the Federal AMA, Dr Trevor Mudge, said today that Netball Australia's decision to ban pregnant women from playing netball is contrary to the Australian notion of a 'fair go'.
Dr Mudge, a senior obstetrician, said medical science indicates there is no problem with pregnant women playing sports like netball up to a certain advanced stage of their pregnancy.
"In fact, playing sport and keeping fit are beneficial to women during pregnancy and at delivery.
"The social contact elements of organised sport are also a great help to women during pregnancy.
"There appears to be an absence of common sense in this decision.
"Women are careful and cautious during pregnancy. They listen to medical advice. If a woman is told that her specific conditions make playing sport a risk, she should not play sport.
"But a blanket ban on pregnant women playing netball is ridiculous. It is a black day when pregnant women are denied the opportunity to play a sport they enjoy.
"This decision by Netball Australia sets an alarming precedent for how pregnant women are regarded in society.
"What happens next? Do we ban pregnant women from the workplace? Do we ban them from public transport?
"Netball is one of Australia's most popular sports and one of our most successful internationally.
"This decision reflects a regrettable shift from a focus on fun and enjoyment to concerns about litigation.
"If netball and other sports become dominated by medico-legal issues, then things don't look too good for the future of sport in Australia.
"Perhaps it's time for governments to step in to take the medico-legal pressure off the sporting bodies and let them get on with the game," Dr Mudge said.
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