A PRIMARY schoolboy has been told he cannot compete in netball tournaments even though he loves playing the game with girls at his school.

Fred Kelly, 10, of Norwood Walk, Bobbing, is allowed to play in practice matches between schools but is not allowed to play in tournaments outside the curriculum time.

His mum Vanessa Kelly said: "It’s so unfair - girls can play in soccer tournaments so boys should be able to play in netball tournaments. I have always encouraged him to do his own thing and it should be equal opportunities for all."

Fred is a pupil at Bredgar Primary School from where headteacher Noreen Vinall said: "He’s a really good player who enjoys playing in matches, so it does seem a shame that he is not allowed to play in tournaments as well."

He was due to have played in an inter-primary schools tournament at Sittingbourne Community College but a letter via the Sittingbourne and District Netball League from the All England Netball Association said that boys were not allowed to take part.

The policy of the association is clearly stated on its website: "England Netball and the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) rules state that single sex competition only is permitted, but we have issued the following guidelines which should apply to all netball activities for young people aged 11 and under, and in curriculum time.

"Schools, affiliated clubs, leagues and other local activities must make participation in netball available to both boys and girls. We also recognise that in the curriculum time, and under supervision of a qualified teacher, mixed netball should be provided to students up to and including GCSE.

"It is unacceptable to exclude either boys or girls aged 11 and under from any competitive or non-competitive activity. Equality of access to participation may be achieved by:
*Providing separate girls only, and boys only competition;
* Providing a mixed netball competition."

The association says its policy is in line with local education authority guidance that has existed for a number of years and is supported by physical education advisors.

Sittingbourne and District Netball League chairman Elaine Selway said: "The tournament was a real seven-a-side one which does not allow boys. There is another version of the game called Hi-Five which would have allowed boys.

"It is the schools that organised the tournament and decided the rules. Our only part was to administer the event and arrange things like the hall and the medals."