The exemption, under the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act, gave netball associations the right to exclude boys aged 12 and 13 from playing.

Associations will no longer be allowed to prevent boys from playing in previously girls-only competitions but can restrict the number of boys on court and the positions they play.

Netball Victoria spokeswoman Justine Stenta said research suggested the changes were unlikely to have a big impact on girls-only competitions because of the low numbers of boys who played.

‘‘This year we’re going to monitor if there is any effects to see whether we need to seek the exemption again in the future,’’ Ms Stenta said.

No restrictions apply to boys and girls under 11 playing in mixed teams.

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission acting commissioner Karen Toohey welcomed the decision.

‘‘Now, if boys want to participate up until that age group, the artificial barrier has been removed,’’ she said.

Ms Toohey said Netball Victoria would monitor its decision to make sure it didn’t decrease girls’ participation in sport.

Sport and Recreation Minister Hugh Delahunty’s spokeswoman Fiona Telford said the government had implemented legislation last year to amend the Equal Opportunity Act, removing unreasonable restrictions on single-sex sport.

Claire Polidano’s son Gus is one of the players to benefit from the changes. He began playing netball after watching his twin sister Eliza from the sidelines.

“He really enjoyed training and that’s how it all started,” Mrs Polidano said. “It would be fantastic if there were more boys involved. But we’re very proud of him.”

Plenty Valley Netball Association president Sue Drummond said the association had already chosen to allow boys to play in teams with girls under 15. In the under-13 and under-15 leagues, only three boys are allowed on court at once.